Press Release
June 25, 2008
Major Funding Granted to San Diego Chamber Orchestra for Ground-breaking Frances Hunter Music Memory Program


The Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund recently announced an award of $45,000 to the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Jung-Ho Pak, Artistic Director and Conductor, to support its ground-breaking Frances Hunter Music Memory Program which will make its debut in the fall of 2008.

The San Diego Chamber Orchestra has a reputation of providing highly successful outreach programs emphasizing life-long exploration of classical music for a diverse population and will kick off its 25th season this fall with the most ambitious music education program in its history.  Named in honor of Frances Hunter, a long-time supporter of the Orchestra’s education outreach programs, the program will be implemented in the San Diego County Unified School District, the Encinitas Unified School District, the Rancho Santa Fe School and elementary schools in Escondido. The program will be managed by Paige Satter in her role as Artistic Administrator and Educational/Outreach Coordinator, a new position for the Orchestra.

Music Memory is a nationally recognized program that has become a phenomenon across the country. It gives children in the 3rd through 6th grades the life-long gift of music through an in-depth study of sixteen selections per year. Music that students will hear for the rest of their lives is carefully chosen for appropriateness from the five historical periods: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary. Prominent composers of orchestral, vocal, choral, band and keyboard pieces are featured. When the students complete four years of this program, they will be able to identify and appreciate sixty-four pieces of classical music.

Music Memory is designed to help children:

• Listen and respond actively to music;
• Acquire knowledge of music terms and definitions;
• Learn about composers, the periods they live in and the cultural significance of their music;
• Make connections from the music to other disciplines;
• Enjoy a meaningful cultural experience with their peers.

The program will culminate each year with a San Diego-wide “music bee,” a Music Memory final competition that will feature all-star teams from the participating elementary schools. They will attend a live concert by the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, and will be tested on their knowledge by participating in a fierce, but fun, team competition that will result in awards to participants and winners. 

“One of the biggest passions in my life is working to ensure quality music education in our schools,” states Jung-Ho Pak, who conducted the only San Diego-based Orchestra Festival this year, in conjunction with the California Music Educators Association, six area festivals, and an all-day workshop for high school orchestra teachers in the San Diego City Schools.

The Orchestra’s Executive Director, Tyler Richards Hewes, expressed his views, “We are very grateful to the Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund for their support of our vision for providing music education beyond our wonderful concert experiences.”