Caption : Members of Parkway Elementary’s Drumming Ensemble gather with Parkway Elementary PTA President Caroline Gessert, Ugandan artist Ssuuna, music teacher Marisa Pau, and Community Foundation Trustee Scott Grove. Pictured (front row, l-r) are Grace Carlin, Camille Paul, Joshua Eliot, Erykah Walmsley, Matthew McKay, Anna Scott Myers, Isabelle O’Connell, Kade Arrington, Michael Lombardi, Sophia Strachan, and Jasmine Franklin. Back Row: Parkway Elementary School PTA President Caroline Gessert, Ugandan artist Ssuuna, Parkway Elementary music teacher Marisa Pau, and Community Foundation Trustee Scott Grove.

Parkway Elementary PTA Receives Grant Supporting Music Education

June 27, 2008: Dancing, drumming, singing, and storytelling enthralled students and faculty alike in late May when Ugandan artist Ssuuna performed at Parkway Elementary School, opening a window on East African culture. Ssuuna’s energetic interactive performance while playing on authentic African instruments was made possible by grants from The Community Foundation of Frederick County’s Margaret S. Stauffer Fund and Unrestricted Funds to Parkway Elementary PTA in its support of multicultural music education.

Parkway Elementary PTA President Caroline Gessert said the Community Foundation grants helped to bring Ssuuna’s performance to Parkway Elementary and also provided drumming equipment to Parkway’s drumming ensemble.

Gessert said that Parkway Elementary music teacher Marisa Pau established drumming ensemble lessons to enhance multicultural music education for the students at Parkway Elementary.

“Ms. Pau found that students learned that they had to work together and listen to each other in order to be successful. They learned self-discipline, respect, and responsibility – pillars of Character Counts, a central component of Frederick County’s public education.”

Gessert said that Parkway Elementary PTA works to support the curriculum at the school and that the Community Foundation grants help the PTA in their efforts. “Our children benefit by understanding other cultures through enhanced arts education in our schools.” 

The Community Foundation of Frederick County is a leading grant maker for nonprofit organizations in Frederick County, awarding more than $216,000 in its last grant season alone. Each year, from August 15 through October 1, Community Foundation Universal Grant Applications can be downloaded at the Community Foundation’s web site or obtained at its office at 312 East Church Street, Frederick. Grants are awarded by December 1 each year. Additional information about the Community Foundation’s upcoming grant season is available by calling 301.695.7660.