Aiken Performing Arts: Cultivating a Love for Music and Performance in Our Community
Aiken, South Carolina, is a vibrant community with a deep appreciation for the arts. At the heart of this cultural landscape, Aiken Performing Arts (APA) stands as a beacon, dedicated not only to bringing exceptional live entertainment to our stages but also to nurturing the next generation of artists and audiences. Through strategic initiatives like our impactful School Outreach program and the heartwarming “Instruments in Your Attic” drive, APA is actively shaping the future of music and performance in Aiken County.
Igniting Passion Through Live Performances: APA’s School Outreach
Since 2005, APA’s Educational Outreach program has touched the lives of over 11,000 students in Aiken County. This remarkable achievement is a testament to our commitment to “giving back to the community,” a core tenet of APA’s strategic plan. We believe that exposure to live music and performance at a young age can be truly transformative, sparking creativity, fostering an appreciation for the arts, and even inspiring future career paths.
Our collaboration with the Aiken County Schools is pivotal to the success of this program. By working hand-in-hand with school administrators, we ensure that students interested in music, band, chorus, or theatre have the incredible opportunity to engage directly with professional performers. These aren’t just passive observations; our outreach initiatives are designed to be interactive, educational, and above all, memorable.
Imagine the excitement of students from various Aiken County schools gathering at the Amentum Center for the Performing Arts, mesmerized by the soulful sounds of “Masters of Soul.” This is just one example of the unforgettable experiences APA facilitates. These interactions go beyond mere entertainment; they provide a unique window into the world of professional musicians and performers, offering insights into their dedication, discipline, and the joy they derive from their craft.
A particularly illuminating example of the program’s impact occurred in mid-April 2016, when Jim Witter and his band, all the way from Canada, visited North Augusta to perform for students. Jim, a master of 1960s and 1970s music, initially harbored doubts about how his genre would resonate with a younger audience. He decided to play songs by The Beatles, a timeless choice that proved to be a stroke of genius. To his delightful surprise, the students knew many of the songs, and with the enthusiastic encouragement of their teachers, they joined in, singing along with infectious energy. The performance was followed by a question-and-answer session that truly showcased the students’ engagement. The high quality of their questions and the sheer number of hands raised underscored the profound impact of the experience. A subsequent survey of attending teachers unanimously rated the experience as “excellent,” with an overwhelming request for more such programs in the future. This resounding feedback reinforces the immense value of bringing live music and performance directly to our students.
Our commitment to this vital program remains unwavering. APA plans to continue and expand our Educational Outreach programs for both public and private schools across Aiken County. Funding for this innovative initiative is a community effort, relying on ticket sales from our spectacular live concerts in Aiken, generous private donations, and support from interested community sources and grants. If you share our passion for supporting young musicians and cultivating a love for the arts, we invite you to help us continue this impactful work. Please contact our office at 803-643-4774 to learn how you can contribute.
Rescuing Melodies: The “Instruments in Your Attic” Program
Beyond bringing live performances to students, APA recognized another critical need within our school systems: the lack of accessible musical instruments. With school budgets for the arts often facing significant reductions or even elimination, many aspiring young musicians are denied the opportunity to learn and grow. This realization led to the inception of the “Instruments in Your Attic” (IYA) program in the spring of 2009, a truly innovative and heartwarming initiative.
The premise of IYA is simple yet profound: to collect unused musical instruments from individuals in the community, arrange for their necessary repairs, and then donate them to Aiken County Public Schools and USC-Aiken. This program directly addresses the critical need for instruments, ensuring that financial constraints do not stand in the way of a child’s musical journey.
The response from the Aiken County community has been overwhelmingly positive. In its first years, IYA was enthusiastically received, collecting more than 150 instruments. These instruments have since found new life, with some being loaned to deserving band and orchestra students, while others remain in the schools to bolster their general music programs. Over the past eleven years, the generosity of Aiken County residents has resulted in the donation of over 300 musical instruments through the “Instruments in Your Attic” program. This incredible outpouring of support underscores the community’s dedication to supporting young musicians and the arts.
As Mark Hollingsworth, Program Coordinator, emphasizes, “APA is formally beginning its next season of its Instruments in the Attic program, and we are continuing to ask people to contribute instruments they no longer use. Instruments of all types are needed. We accept not only instruments for band and orchestra, but guitars and digital keyboards as well.” This ongoing need highlights the sustained impact of this program.
The process of donating an instrument is made incredibly easy, thanks to our partnership with Security Federal Bank branches, which act as convenient depositories. Volunteers then collect the instruments, ensuring they are prepared for their new homes in our schools.
Investing in Aiken’s Artistic Future
APA’s Educational Outreach and “Instruments in Your Attic” programs are more than just initiatives; they are investments in the future of Aiken. By providing access to high-quality live entertainment and essential musical instruments, we are fostering creativity, building confidence, and enriching the lives of countless students. We are cultivating a new generation of performers, appreciative audiences, and active participants in the vibrant tapestry of Aiken’s cultural scene.
Our work is a testament to the power of non-profits in Aiken to make a tangible difference in the community. Through the dedication of our staff, the generosity of our donors, and the collaboration with our local schools, Aiken Performing Arts is continually striving to enhance the cultural landscape of our beloved city. We are committed to ensuring that every child in Aiken County has the opportunity to experience the joy of music and the transformative power of live performance. Join us in supporting these vital programs and help us continue to bring the magic of music to the students of Aiken County. Your support directly contributes to fostering live music in Aiken and building a stronger, more culturally rich community for generations to come.
