The Woodlands, TX – Approximately 4,200 students are expected to attend the 14th annual Musical Scores educational outreach program at The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, home of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.  The event takes place from 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on May 6.  Twenty-two schools from nine school districts plan to attend. For a complete list of participating districts and schools, see chart below.

Students enjoy one of the many performances at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s Musical Scores event. Musical Scores held May 6 rewards students who earn the privilege to attend this special event at The Pavilion. Photo by Ted Washington

Musical Scores begins at 10 a.m. on May 6 with Jean Donatto, master of ceremonies and the exceptional student recognition and awards. Martin Brennan, with Up With People is the guest speaker for the event, giving the children a motivational speech. Immediately following Brennan, the students enjoy non-stop entertainment by the Rockets Launch Crew, Bad News Brown and Soul Street Dance Company. Bad News Brown is a street-based musical artist and harmonica player. Soul Street Dance Company is a high-energy, breakin’, poppin’ and lockin’ hip-hop dancing group.

Since its inception in 1995, Musical Scores, one of The Pavilion’s most successful educational outreach programs, has grown from serving 200 students its first year to nearly 4,200 students this year.The program primarily serves “at-risk,” low income, middle school students who earn the privilege to attend a special event at The Pavilion by displaying model behavior and achieving specific scholastic goals.  Personnel from each participating school negotiate an agreement with each student whereby he or she earns points for scholastic progress and achievement.  Points are earned for such things as reading books, raising test scores, improving attendance or displaying positive behavior.  When the students reach their goal, thus achieving their “musical score,” they are designated as VIPs and Super Achievers.  As a reward, they are treated to a free performance and lunch at The Pavilion.  The students also receive complimentary Musical Scores T-shirts for their achievement.

Over 4,000 students attend the annual Musical Scores program at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Musical Scores held May 6, is a reward-based program that gives students an opportunity to attend an event at The Pavilion.

For the past several years, The Pavilion has worked with Carver Magnet High School graphic arts students to create the t-shirt artwork for Musical Scores.  A gifted junior, Nubianna Gibson, was the t-shirt design winner for this year. Gibson was one of the 30 students from Carver’s graphic arts program who submitted artwork for consideration as the featured design on this year’s Musical Scores t-shirts.  These complimentary t-shirts, along with free lunches, are given out to all students in attendance.

Gibson’s design, chosen by members of The Pavilion’s Board of Directors was the best visual representation of the Musical Scores program.  Gibson, along with the other two finalists, are attending the event on May 6.

Megan McEntire, the teacher who coordinated the t-shirt design contest through her Electronic Media classes said, “This project is relevant for the students because it shows them how their creative work in the classroom can be applied in the real world. It is a great example of what it would be like to work as a graphic artist. What is so neat about this opportunity is the winning designer gets to see their work on over 4,000 t-shirts.”  

Musical Scores is generously sponsored by ARAMARK Sports & Entertainment, Calfee Specialties, Catherine & George Lindahl Family Foundation, Chevron Phillips, Chick-fil-A, CB&I, Continental Airlines, official airline of The Pavilion, Entergy, Hewitt Associates, Huntsman LLC, Liberty Mutual, Linn Energy, The John P. McGovern Foundation, The Pavilion Partners, The Pepsi Bottling Group and Union Pacific. 

For more information about Musical Scores, or information regarding upcoming events at The Pavilion, call 281-363-3300 or visit The Pavilion’s Web site at www.woodlandscenter.org

Media Contact:
Courtney Galle, Marketing & PR Manager, 281-210-1113 cgalle@woodlandscenter.org
Cindy DuBois, Director of Marketing & Education, 281-210-1109 cdubois@woodlandscenter.org

Founded in 1990, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is part of The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides diverse, high-quality performing arts events for the entertainment and enrichment of a broad regional audience. Through numerous educational and community outreach programs, The Center is a catalyst for attracting new audiences to the performing arts and building strong ties between the arts and educational institutions.