With tight local school budgets, music education programs keep getting cut. But one after school program has been filling the gap by providing two hours of intense music lessons every day for kids in southwest Atlanta.
At the Atlanta Music Project, they take music instruction very seriously.
An hour of study is followed by hen two hours of practice every day after school.
"We work them really, really hard but they have fun," said Aisha Bowden.
But the program is about so much more than learning the violin or the cello.
"Our goal isn't necessarily to produce the next Yo Yo Ma, our goal is to have all of students graduate high school," said Dantes Rameau.
The after school program isn't funded by Atlanta schools or by the city. In fact, it began with no funding at all.
"We had no product at the time. We had no kids, no program, but we had found out this way that anybody could raise money for any cause, so we put together a Kickstarter campaign in the summer of 2010," said Rameau.
After raising $20,000 in small internet donations, they were up and running. Now they're looking to expand with another online fundraising campaign.
The kids have already taken the stage at Phillips Arena to sing a Pink Floyd classic with Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, so a full-fledged choir program called Amplify is the next step.
"We have a site, we have children ready to sing, we have teaching artists ready to teach," said Bowden.
They just need the cash to get going. Parents and teachers say Atlanta Music Project provides an alternative to being out on the streets or sitting home on the couch.
The fun.is very important and so is the music. But organizers say it's the life skills they hope will make a lasting difference
Atlanta Music Project hopes to raise $20,000 to get the Amplify Choral Project going next month. They already have the students recruited and ready to go.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:31 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:31:23 GMT
Later today, Georgia State Rep. Tyrone Brooks is expected to speak publicly about his recent arrest on fraud and tax charges. Brooks was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday.
Later today, Georgia State Rep. Tyrone Brooks is expected to speak publicly about his recent arrest on fraud and tax charges. Brooks was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:32:32 GMT
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It's also a great time to thank veterans for their service to our country—veterans just like World War II American hero Lew Fern.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:56 AM EDT2013-05-23 04:56:30 GMT
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:55:59 GMT
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home.
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home. Just one day later, some of her family members were in Oklahoma near where the tornado hit.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:50 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:50:14 GMT
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground.
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground. Both victims are 6-year-old boys who are in kindergarten at Rocky Plains Elementary School, where the attack happened.
