Young Americans Coming To O'Neill In November


Hundreds of talented youth from O’Neill and surrounding areas are preparing to study and perform with The Young Americans, November 15th-17th during their 2015 Fall International Music Outreach Tour and “Turn Up The Music” campaign. This non-profit music, dance and performance troupe will make a tour stop at O’Neill High School on its 44-city tour and has devoted the entire next year to teaching, funding and encouraging school music departments all across the US.
“We are extremely concerned with music programs disappearing from our public schools, especially when we see the direct benefits music has on our young people every single day,” says Bill Brawley, Executive Director of The Young Americans.  “By donating a portion of our workshop proceeds back to schools, it is our hope that our “Turn Up The Music” campaign will energize music teachers, school music programs and the communities that strive to keep music education top priority for our youth.”
As the world’s first show-choir The Young Americans are now the oldest and largest youth music advocacy group in the world.  The 45-member casts, each aged 18 to 23 tour town to town and country to country, staying in the homes of local residents. At each tour stop, they teach three-day music outreach workshops that includes classes in singing, dancing, and theater performance. On the final day, a spectacular two-hour show is produced featuring the local participants as they perform right alongside The Young Americans in front of parents, families, teachers, friends and community members.
 
The mission of the 52 year-old music group has always been the same. They aim to inspire young people and audiences throughout the world using music as their vehicle.  “Music creates the perfect environment for the magic to happen,” says TJ Stoltz Booking Director of the North American Tours.  It’s incredible to watch a group of 3rd -12th graders get together and work as a team in a matter of days.  They develop new friendships, self-confidence, and acceptance among their peers.”
 
Registration is open to students in grades 3-12 and more details on this workshop can be found on The Young Americans website http://youngamericans.org/index.php/turn-up-the-music-2 or by visiting the O’Neill YA’s workshop webpage at http://oneillyas2015.weebly.com.  Registration forms are available on the proceeding workshop website, from O’Neill High School or O’Neill Elementary.  Participants may register quickly and easily online through http://oneillyas2015.weebly.com as well. Come support music education in your community – the final show is open to community members, O’Neill High School gymnasium, 7:00 pm. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.