By Staff

May 17, 2023: Concordia Conservatory completed a successful Spring String Poetry Project (“SSPP”) at the Lincoln Elementary School in the Mount Vernon City School District. The program was funded by ArtsWestchester and the Junior League of Bronxville.

The project was undertaken with the 4th grade students at Lincoln Elementary School.  It was comprised of in-school music sessions led by Concordia Conservatory violin faculty members Hubert Chen and Emanouil Manolov as well as poetry writing programs with the students led by Lincoln Elementary fourth grade teachers Modesta Spies and Maryann Walsh. 

The Lincoln Elementary students learned to play the violin with basic technique, learned the rudiments of music theory, and also wrote poetry inspired by playing the violin. The program culminated in a school performance assembly. 

This cross curricular program served as a pilot program for Lincoln Elementary and the Mount Vernon City School District.  

Concordia Conservatory Executive Director Kathleen Suss noted that the program was "a beautiful partnership" between the 4th grader classes at Lincoln Elementary and Concordia Conservatory. "The learning goals for the Spring String Poetry Project (SSPP) with Concordia Conservatory were fully met," she said, "This project embodies our Conservatory mission as a community music school."

Suss further thanked the faculty of Lincoln Elementary and Concordia Conservatory for implementing the project.

Lincoln Elementary School's Principal Rebecca Jones said, "Concordia Conservatory’s profound commitment to community outreach has led to establishing programs to bring music to all people.