MIAMI, FL (May 24, 2011) – City of Miami Commissioner Marc D. Sarnoff is proud to announce the launching of a new music education program at Virrick Park and Barnyard Community Centers in Coconut Grove. The move is the result of a longtime effort by the District 2 commissioner whose office helped secure private-sector funding for the program and a management partnership with the University of Miami.

“The Virrick Park Music Room is the culmination of many months of effort to bring to bring a world-class music education program that will benefit the children and families of Coconut Grove and provide an opportunity for the University of Miami to give back to the community,” said Commissioner Sarnoff.

Children in the music program will have the choice of learning traditional band instruments such as saxophone, flute, clarinet, trombone, trumpet or percussion instruments. Graduate students from the UM Frost School of Music will both oversee and run the program, with undergraduate mentors assisting. Each site will start with between 10 and 15 students who will meet with their mentors twice a week.

The program will run from September 2011 to May 2012, and program students will perform concerts throughout that period as well as be visited by Frost School Chamber ensembles that will expose students to many different types of music.

Steve Guerra Jr., director of outreach for the Frost School of Music, said: “This new partnership in the Grove will provide the opportunity for students to explore the world of music. Through this program they will not only learn musical skills but life skills as well, such as teamwork, creativity, expression, and discipline. We aim to provide a high level of musical instruction while students learn that they can have fun performing, practicing, and creating.”

Commissioner Sarnoff would also like to acknowledge former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez and the staff of County Commission District 7 for their participation in putting this program together.

For press inquiries please contact William Plasencia at wplasencia@miamigov.com or (305) 250-5331.