A Brief History of Music/Arts Institute®
In the Beginning
In 1979, four musicians took a special vision and made it work. They
envisioned an institution that would teach young and old alike to embrace
beauty and professionalism in the arts. That dream is now Music/Arts
Institute® (MAI®). Housed today, in a handsome, historic building
in Independence, Missouri, the institute is constantly expanding and
refining its impressive, classic curriculum. Accepted as a full member
of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts, MAI® is
a vital force in the cultural life of the metropolitan area. Dr. Wayne
Smith (piano), William T. Stewart (piano), Evelyn Allen (piano), and
Millicent Daugherty (voice), founded a performing arts education institution
on a wing and a prayer! Well, actually, $500 each, a used IBM typewriter,
a phone line, a card table and a phone service in the Allen’s
dining room. As the years progressed, other teachers were added such
as Jean Dexter (Suzuki), Phil Clark (trumpet), and Deborah Wells (harp).
MAI®’s office progressed from dining room to front room, to
a house on Farmer Street (where we took out a loan and built two studios),
finally arriving at our final home at 1010 South Pearl in 1985. ^Top
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Collaborations
Highly regarded in the music community, Music/Arts Institute® is
very supportive of other arts organizations and collaborates with various
colleges and school districts to promote music introduction and instruction.
MAI® has had an active roll assisting in the identification of exceptionally
gifted/needy artistic children. One particularly unique program completed
an eight-year cycle at MAI®. The Missouri State Department of Gifted
Education conceived a pilot program, entitled “Music with the
Masters,” which was awarded through the Independence School District.
The concept was implemented at MAI®, where forty-five sixth and
seventh grade children were provided private lessons in string performance,
as well as classes in choir, orchestra, music theory, and stage etiquette.
The students were presented in recitals and adjudicated music festivals.
All students received this education free of charge in an after-school
setting. Several of these students continued to study and participate
in their high school orchestras and choirs, and many have pursued their
musical interests in college. ^Top
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The Faculty
Shaping tomorrow’s performers is the task to which the MAI®
faculty addresses itself. Caring for and nurturing the student in every
aspect of musicianship, artistry and life preparation is the goal of
Music/Arts Institute®. MAI® faculty members are chosen from
the Kansas City Symphony, the Independence Symphony, the Lyric Opera
of Kansas City, the St. Joseph Symphony and the Northland Symphony.
They complement other widely known and active performing MAI® faculty
members from such chamber groups as Summerfest, New Ear, and the Kansas
City Chorale. They are recognized as some of the finest musicians and
teachers in the Midwest. Many MAI® alumni return to teach at Music/Arts
after completing their college music education. During it’s twenty-five
years of quality arts education, MAI® counts thirty-one of these
fine musicians as “returnee teachers” to their Alma Mater.^Top
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Student Body
MAI® is enriched by the geographical and ethnic mix of its student
body. Currently, 350 students are enrolled in multiple lessons, which
include: voice and instrumental instruction, instrumental ensembles,
and children’s choir. Private lessons are taught on a 46-week
academic year contract. Although located in Independence, MAI® ® students
travel from throughout the metropolitan area and beyond. MAI® currently
is drawing students from 35 cities representing 62 zip codes. Students
have traveled to weekly lessons from Lamoni, St. Joseph, Topeka, Whiteman
Air Force Base, Kearney, Maryville and Lincoln, Nebraska! Yes, for viola
lessons from Lincoln. Music/Arts Institute® students are widely
recognized for their expertise as musicians and are frequently employed
for professional music and drama presentations at the Missouri Repertory
Theatre, Starlight Theatre, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and the
Independence Concert Series. They are noted in record numbers as members
of the auditioned Missouri and Kansas All-District and All-State Choirs,
Bands, and Orchestras. One particular MAI® student earned the distinction
of winning within the same year membership in All-State Choir, All-State
Band, All-State Jazz Band, and All-State Orchestra, and for having been
chosen all four years of her high school eligibility. Distinguished
schools of music such as Eastman, Oberlin, Northwestern University,
Indiana University, Duquesne, Simpson College, the Blair School of Music,
and the New England Conservatory are known to recruit MAI®students
and have awarded them with well-deserved scholarships. Some of these
schools often recruit on the MAI® campus. ^Top
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Tuition Assistance
Not all talented and deserving young musicians have the financial resources
to attend Music/Arts Institute®. Recognizing this need, MAI®
awarded $38,844 in scholarships to 81 students studying 13 varying kinds
of instruction during the 2003-04 academic year. One of the more noteworthy
examples of talented/needy students is a former young viola student.
Struggling with the demands of middle school and the challenges of learning
disabilities, he was manifesting academic problems and frustration.
When referred to MAI®, this young man became the recipient of scholarship
funds and began viola instruction. He not only continued his viola instruction,
but also studied voice and string ensemble while in high school. He
earned First Chair viola honors with the Kansas City Youth Symphony
and Principle Violist of his high school orchestra. In addition, he
was a member of MAI®’s resident strings, the Searfoss String
Quartet and has also composed music. He was recognized by Southern Mississippi
University with a total four-year scholarship, and now has the opportunity
for a college education that did not exist before. Most importantly,
he gained the dignity and attendant self-esteem of a purposeful and
talented young man who believes he is of great value and whose academic
achievements are to be applauded. This is just one example of many fine
young musicians who have benefited from scholarship opportunities at
Music/Arts. ^Top
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Alumni
Outstanding MAI® alumni have found their places of honor and service
in the New York City Opera, the St. Louis Symphony, university positions
(in both vocal and instrumental instruction), as Missouri Governor of
the National Association of Teachers of Singing, a music editor for
Word Music Publishers, members of the professions, business, the armed
forces, etc. ^Top
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Satellites
Music/Arts has served the greater Kansas City community, with several
satellite campuses: 1) North (Hillside Christian Church); 2) South (Red
Bridge Church and the Barstow School); 3) Central (Notre Dame de Sion);
4) East (Blue Springs Christian Church); and 5) numerous Pre-Schools
throughout the city. All of these satellites were great experiments,
but none were as successful as having the kids at our “home”
campus in a conservatory atmosphere that we create. MAI® has also
experimented with curricula such as dance, marionettes, and the visual
arts. Each had its charm and certain values, but music seems to be the
thing we do best! ^Top
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The Miracle on Pearl
Street
At last estimate, we have invested over $398,000 to make us wind and
waterproof, warm and cool, carpeted and soundproofed, painted and furnished—and
musical. This was a huge undertaking for a few musical entrepreneurs,
but the community of arts lovers responded and here we are—in
our own building for 19 years, important to schools, churches and musical
ensembles in this enlarged, enriched community.
We have not accomplished our task alone! We have been blessed to be
the recipient of important gifts from our board, foundations, businesses,
school districts and donors who wish to be associated with an arts organization
who keeps track of “the bottom line” while inspiring and
preparing the future musicians and arts patrons of the world. ^Top
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Narrative provided by:
Christie Geier-Pratt
Kent French
Millicent Daugherty
