Books, Bach, and Beethoven

I get some interesting ideas sometimes that refuse to let go. I did a program at my old school where students bounced basketballs for twenty minutes and collected pledges for their efforts. This money was donated to the Venango Chamber Orchestra, a wonderful group that provides free concerts to local communities. When I started my new job as the Children’s Librarian, I wondered how I could continue the project…and then it hit me…Books, Bach, and Beethoven.

Books, Bach, and Beethoven asks each participant to to promise to read 10 books by March 15th. Book titles and dates are recorded on the forms that may be picked up at the library or copied from the sample below. Students record and collect pledges for their efforts using the other form found below or at the library. Classical music and books about composers are available at the library. Wonderful clips of classical music can be heard on Pandora (a free music website) and seen on YouTube.

Nancy Simpson, the Venango Chamber Orchestra concertmistress, will present a fascinating program at St. Patrick School for those students and all other participants in March. She will discuss the VCO, string instruments, and playing in an orchestra. She will also demonstrate her violins. 

Participants will also be invited to attend the spring concert with their families on Sunday, April 10th at 3PM. The concert lasts about 90 minutes including intermission. The money collected will be donated to the Venango Chamber Orchestra at the concert after intermission. We will also provide them with a final count of all the books read.

If we can raise $150, we can provide the orchestra with a set of sheet music!

I would love for you to join me in this project!

FORMS:

Books, Bach, and Beethoven: Books I Have Read to Help Support the Venango Chamber Orchestra

Name _________________________________________________ Grade _________________

Date	Title

 

Books, Bach, and Beethoven: Pledge

I promise to read a minimum of ten books by March 15th. I may read these to myself, to someone else, or have them read to me. I will record the title of each book and the date I read it. I am asking you to pledge a flat donation in honor of my accomplishment. This money will be donated to the Venango Chamber Orchestra, a group dedicated to bringing classical music to the Venango area through free concerts, at their spring concert.

Thank you for supporting my efforts!

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*Please know that any pledge amount is greatly appreciated