VanderCook Hosts Its First Gala

VanderCook is Chicago’s only college dedicated to music teachers. Photo provided by Brown Farmer Media.
VanderCook is Chicago’s only college dedicated to music teachers. Photo provided by Brown Farmer Media.

VanderCook Hosts Its First Gala

By Tia Carol Jones

The VanderCook College of Music was founded by Hale A. VanderCook and Hubert E. Nutt in 1929, to fill a need and desire for music teachers within the schools by developing a curriculum for music teachers. Since its founding, 116 years ago, it has grown into a worldwide program that has provided opportunities for all levels of music education.

Kimberly Farris, President of the  VanderCook College of Music, said that because of the small size and niche orientation of the school, it has been able to be nimble enough to grow the curriculum for the needs of the time and the needs of the community. She said it has been a unique developed curriculum for music only.

“As the only collegiate institution in the entire country, solely dedicated to music education, it’s a very, very special place that we’ve developed over the last 116 years,” she said.

Farris said that there are VanderCook alumni from all 50 states, as well as from more than 17 countries around the world. She said there are so many former students that teach across the world and they have touched the lives of so many students. She said because of the school being 116 years old, the impact grows exponentially each year.  She said there are 109 teachers in the Chicago Public Schools system, which she said is exciting to have in the school’s own backyard.

The VanderCook College of Music will host its Inaugural Gala on Saturday, April 25 at the Zhou B Art Center, 1029 W. 35th Street, Chicago. Farris said that typically VanderCook hosts an annual scholarship drive event called Top of the Pops. The students perform and the community comes out.

She said that at this moment in time in history, the school is transitioning into the future of what VanderCook is going to be. She said music education is a critical element in the communities. She said the importance of having music in the lives of children and the transformative power it has is VanderCook’s passion and what they strive to achieve. She said there is an understanding that music education is in jeopardy and now is the moment to have the inaugural gala.

Farris said that the goal of the gala is to push the message out that VanderCook’s work in developing music teachers is important in order to continue to provide high quality music education to students across the world. She said that the event will include headliners Rodrick Dixon and Fred Nelson.

Having Dixon headline the event is going to help bring joy to the community and provide artistic excellence, Farr said. She said she wants people to have a great time with amazing food. She wants everyone to leave with a smile on their face and energy in their step, with the understanding of what music education really means for the human spirit.

“We hope that everyone will come and enjoy the experience with us and share the love of music education,” Farris said. She added that it is important to support the future of music education.

Tickets cost $250.00 per person. For more information about the VanderCook College of Music, visit www.vandercook.edu. To purchase tickets to the gala, visit www.vandercook.edu/gala.

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