The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center announces the creation of the MOSAIC Youth Philharmonic, an expansion of the existing Musical Opportunities Supporting The Arts in Our Community (MOSAIC) program. This new orchestra is open to all school-aged students through auditions.
The full orchestra ensemble expands The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center’s existing MOSAIC program, adding a third tier that targets upper middle and high school students. Inspired by the El Sistema model, MOSAIC is a daily music education program serving nearly 70 elementary and middle school children from the Harlem Heights community. It provides free instrumental music instruction and numerous performance opportunities at The Heights Center and throughout the community. MOSAIC empowers students to strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives, from academic classes to musical lessons, and strengthens familial and community bonds, teaching students to become leaders and ambitious in every endeavor.
The Youth Philharmonic will rehearse every Monday from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at The Heights Center, located at 15570 Hagie Drive, Fort Myers. The orchestra will perform three concerts annually at The Heights Center, with additional performances scheduled throughout Lee County. String and wind quartet/quintet ensemble coaching and performances will also be offered throughout the season.
Annual tuition for the program is $300, with payment plans and need-based scholarships available upon request. Detailed audition information for each instrument can be found at www.heightsfoundation.org/MOSAIC.
For more information, visit www.heightsfoundation.org/MOSAIC or contact Melissa Barlow at [email protected] or (239) 482-7706 extension 4006.
About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center
The Heights Foundation works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. Our mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts. The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment. Heights Early Learning serves more than 85 babies through 4 years old. The Heights Center serves 163 children in AfterSchool and 153 children in SummerCamp. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 200 children from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community. Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 78% Hispanic, 16% African-American, and 6% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. As a result, families cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood.