Mission
American
Festival for the Arts (AFA) was founded in 1993 by Houston composer
J. Todd Frazier to provide accessible, high-quality music education
and performance opportunities for youth and to broaden the audience
for both new American works and the standard classical music repertory.
History
To achieve
its mission, AFA presents an annual Summer Music Conservatory and Concert
Series. This unique and acclaimed community-based music education program,
featuring faculty members drawn from the nations’ finest educators,
performers, composers and conductors, has become recognized as an important
annual event in the cultural life of Southeast Texas and as a model
for similar programs around the nation. A rigorous curriculum that includes
large and small ensemble performance, music theory/enrichment classes
and private lessons forms the core of AFA’s orchestra, jazz, choir,
piano and composition departments.
The Conservatory is an inspiring, life changing experience for its students.
In 2008, AFA’s thirteenth Summer Music Conservatory enrolled 332
students from 109 elementary, middle and senior high schools. AFA presented
twenty-one free concerts to thousands of area music lovers featuring
more American works and world premieres than any other area presenter.
More than three out of every five students received tuition assistance
from the AFA Scholarship Enrichment Fund.
1995-2009:
Making Music Matter
“We
are very proud of this year's American Festival for the Arts (AFA) Summer
Music Conservatory program. We began this season with an exciting new
partnership with the Houston Independent School District that resulted
in AFA moving to a new location at the Pershing Middle School campus.
This important partnership is tangible evidence of AFA's commitment
to the schools and students of Houston and of its continuing role as
a safeguard for the arts in education throughout the region. In 2008,
AFA also successfully launched a Middle School CHoral and Vocal Studies
program, thereby expanding its service to new communities of young musicians.
The 2008 season saw more applications than ever before and AFA's largest
student body in its history - proof that the arts in Houston are not
only growing... but with the partnership of parents, schools, school
districts and our arts partners, they are thriving! On behalf of the
board, our faculty and, most importantly, our students, thank you for
being part of our 2008 successes and we look forward to even more in
2009.”
–
Michael Remson, Executive & Artistic Director
“I
have always believed that the arts play an essential role in the complete
education and optimum, balanced development of an individual. The knowledge
and experience gained from the study of the arts develop a person in
many ways: mentally, spiritually and through building one’s confidence,
concentration, self-respect and discipline. These traits are then carried
into all aspects of life. The American Festival for the Arts Summer
Music Conservatory offers a unique haven for aspiring youth from diverse
backgrounds and independent school districts to immerse themselves in
a stimulating artistic environment with peers of similar interests.
AFA concerts provide students with a supportive atmosphere in which
to demonstrate their achievements and allow their families, teachers
and members of the community to support their learning process. As a
result, AFA directly enhances the cultural and educational lives of
our youth and, in turn, their families, their friends, the local arts
community, its concert audiences and the well being of our cultural
future.”
–
J. Todd Frazier, Founder
