Educational Programming

The Boland Dowdall Duo has long been dedicated to bringing music to underserved populations when and where they normally meet. Partnerships with the City of Marion, the Marion School District, the Cedar Rapids School District gave the Duo the means to reach deep into the community.

Support for educational programming came from the Chamber Music America Residency Partnership Program .

Music for Kids:  Educational events for grades K-12. Projects are tied to existing curriculum and classroom goals

Music in Libraries:  Family-friendly concerts in the libraries of Linn County, Iowa. Attracts extended families, home schooled children, preschoolers, and  library patrons on a Saturday afternoon.

Music for Seniors: Interactive concerts for senior citizens when and where they normally congregate.

Chamber Music Now!  Designed for exceptionally talented young musicians _ to work in concert with professionals. Gives talented high school and college students the opportunity to make music as peers with professional musicians. After a series of intense rehearsals, performances are given in libraries and schools.

Production Floor Performances:  For workers in offices and factories. Workers gather in the lobby for a noontime concert, or simply leave the doors of their offices open and let the music waft in.

  Music for Seniors. Photo by Len Struttmann

What is the public response?

FROM TEENAGERS. . .
. . .This is only my second non-rock concert, but I really enjoyed it!

FROM KIDS. . .. . .
. . .I learned to pluck, pick and strum. Thanks for coming to my school.
. . .Thank you for your little musical. I have heard of Mozart.
. . .I enjoyed the concert. Me and my friend was laughen at the love song.

FROM PARENTS: FAMILY CONCERTS. . .
. . . My 3-year old loved it and her attention “drift” was almost zero. Excellent!
. . . They did a wonderful job of making the instruments come alive for the children.