DONATION TO UH HELPS STUDENTS, EDUCATORS
DISCOVER MAGIC OF MUSIC
HOUSTON, June 11, 2007 – Music inspires creativity and enhances
learning abilities. Soon, young Houstonians and their teachers will
discover the difference music can make in the classroom thanks to
the Lisa and Agbo Abiola Initiative in Music Education.
Houston’s Abiola family recently donated $25,000 to the
University of Houston’s Moores School of Music (MSM) to fund
this program that will provide music lessons at the UH Child Care
Center (UHCCC), the Third Ward Head Start Program and Houston’s
Challenge Early College High School. All lessons are coordinated
and supervised by MSM’s Prepartory and Continuing Studies
(PCS) department.
“We would like to help bring music to children who might
not otherwise experience its beauty and joy,” said Lisa Abiola.
None of these institutions have music programs due to budgetary
constraints. With assistance from the Abiola Initiative, PCS master
teachers – many of whom are UH alumni – will provide
twice-a-week lessons for children and students and will work with
teachers to incorporate music into daily curriculum. Lessons will
begin this fall.
“Music is a natural and enjoyable part of people’s
everyday lives that helps them understand their world,” said
Sherry Howard, UHCCC director. “It stimulates the brain with
a combination of sound, rhythm and rhyme and involves lots of repetition,
which strengthens the connections in one’s brain.”
Studies have reflected a correlation between musical study and
academic achievements. Research also shows lower incidence of drug
and alcohol use among students who have studied music.
“The Abiolas commitment to opening the minds of our young
citizenry is truly inspiring,” said Jessica Smith, director
of PCS. “Their vision combined with the university’s
support is a sign of wonderful things to come.”
Lisa and Agbo Abiola reside in Houston and have three children.
Agbo Abiola owns RCN Limited, an international communications company
headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.
PCS offers vocal and instrumental classes to the public each spring
and fall. Classes are taught by MSM faculty and student instructors
and are not part of UH’s curriculum. Class fees vary, and
a schedule of courses can be accessed at http://www.class.uh.edu/music/pcs/
or by calling 713-743-3398.
For more information on the Moores School of Music, visit http://www.pcs.uh.edu/
or call 713-743-3009.
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students.
For more information about UH visit
the universitys Newsroom at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.
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