Initial goals proposed by the Early Education Subcommittee include:
- Articulate the commitment to and relationship between the SSM and early education programs for the Houston community, and
- Use this defined commitment to develop educational programs that support underrepresented student populations
As a short-term recommendation, the Early Education Subcommittee suggested developing a partnership with the Houston Symphony through their Education & Community Initiatives to enhance community engagement through the Houston Independent School District. With former Dean Yekovich's support for this idea, the Houston Symphony and Rice University's Shepherd School of Music joined forces to create a new pilot program: The Shepherd School–Houston Symphony Brown Foundation Community-Embedded Musician Fellowship. The Houston Symphony provides one apprentice the opportunity to develop community engagement skills under the guidance of the Symphony's Community-Embedded Musicians (CEMs) and Education and Community Engagement staff. The Fellowship goes annually to a Rice Graduate student, who then learns to work with children and other populations from Houston's underserved communities. The goal is to one day expand this program to support more fellows.
Early Education Subcommittee Members
Lindsey Sharpe
(Liaison with Shepherd Equity)
Cello, Chicago Sinfonietta & Chicago Civic Orchestra
Kurt Stallmann
Professor of Composition & Theory, Director of REMLABS, Co-Chair
Chabrelle Williams
Voice, Independent Artist