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Educational Experiences at the Newman Center

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Newman Center

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As the focal point for the performing arts at the University of Denver, the Newman Center offers a wide variety of educational outreach programs that are accessible and beneficial for students of all ages. Here are just a handful of experiences we’re looking forward to this winter and spring.

The Philip Glass Ensemble Residency – Over the course of two days in February, members of The Philip Glass Ensemble will be engaging in an intensive residency with students and faculty from the Lamont School of Music, presented by the Newman Center. Members of the ensemble will work with students from every part of the school, covering all aspects of music making. Sessions will include ensemble coaching in voice, jazz, strings, and winds, composition readings with student composers and ensembles, music theory discussions, audio engineering workshops, and seminar discussions on topics ranging from physical and mental health for musicians to business and entrepreneurship. DU students along with staff and faculty are also eligible for $15 tickets to The Philip Glass Ensemble’s February 9th performance at 7:30pm.

Student Matinee Series – Our four show 2022-23 Student Matinee Series has so far included performances by Latinx dance ensemble ArtistiCO, Cuban mambo band Orquesta Akokán, and Emmy Award-winning performance collective Manual Cinema. The Series concludes April 7 with the world-famous Mingus Big Band. Students in K though 12 are provided an opportunity to experience live music and performances in the June Swarner Gates Concert Hall with performers that are second-to-none. 

In addition teachers at participating schools are given access to free, high-quality curricula created in partnership with Think 360 Arts for Learning. These curricula allow students to delve deeper in the classroom, exploring the artists and genres they are seeing on stage. The Mingus Big Band will also participate in a two day intensive residency with DU’s Lamont School of Music, providing the next generation of musicians with valuable perspectives from some of the country’s most accomplished jazz musicians.

Musical Explorers – Musical Explorers, presented in partnership with Carnegie Hall, will reach over 1,800 second grade students across 26 Denver Public Schools this winter and spring. The program launched January 7 with a professional development training session for 26 Denver area music teachers where they received the free curriculum, giving students the opportunity to learn about three diverse musical cultures. Over the spring semester in class, students study genres both familiar and new, such as salsa, north Indian classical music, and hip-hop, all through the lens of artists who live, work, and play in the Denver area. At the end of the program, they get to meet, sing, and dance with the artists they have learned about here in Gates Concert Hall at a live performance. It is a really magical experience, and there is nothing else quite like it in Colorado.

We are happy to provide these quality educational experiences that are tailored to best fit students’ needs and help each and every one of them to further their unique journey with the arts. With events that spark interest and cultivate learning, the Newman Center works to inspire the next generation of performing artists. 

Interested in signing up your school the Mingus Big Band student matinee performance or learning more about our education opportunities? Contact Luke.Wachter@du.edu.

Your financial support helps make these opportunities a reality for thousands of students. Consider a donation today. Questions? Contact Adriel.Long@du.edu.