A Dose of Music Education

As we gear up for Mile 3, the entire Mile Team is buzzing with excitement. Some of the people most excited for this year’s festival belong to our wonderful Music Education Team. We sat down with Leila Ramagopal Pertl, our Music Education Team curator, and Brian Pertl, a Music Education Team member and Dean of the Lawrence Conservatory of Music. Together we explored the uniqueness of Mile of Music and the amazing communal and educational aspects that the festival brings to Appleton.

Mile of Music continues to be committed to the arts. Proceeds from Mile of Music support, in part, the Mile of Music Education Fund within the Appleton Education Foundation. This year, Mile of Music attendees can again look forward to Music Education events throughout the festival. These events and workshops include singalongs with the Mile of Music artists, didgeridoo lessons, jam band experiences, songwriting workshops and much more. There are parachute games, bucket drumming, and “boom-whacking” workshops that are fun for the whole family. These Music Education experiences are for everyone, no matter your age or ability.

Leila and Brian Pertl

When asked about the beginnings of Mile of Music, Brian and Leila recalled how music education has been an integral piece from the start. Leila remembered her advice to the first Music Education team, “If you really want music education to be a part of the festival in a long-lasting and meaningful way, then we need to get people involved, hands on. We need to provide events, workshops and activities which would help people rediscover their inner musician.”

The Music Education team has been handpicked by Leila, who has gathered top quality music educators of all different backgrounds to participate. The team consists of sixteen members from Appleton area schools and from the Lawrence Conservatory of Music. This team is filled with people who are extremely passionate about music, and love bringing interactive music to everyone at Mile of Music.

Our Music Education Team seeks to build a further sense of community. Through Mile of Music and the Music Education Team, we
can enhance Appleton’s creative vibe and economy. “Mile of Music has helped our community see the power of the arts. And this can be a reason why people move here, because arts thrive. A place where live music thrives, and a place where artists can create… This is who we are,” Brian Pertl says. Downtown Appleton is truly a unique, creative entity to celebrate during Mile of Music.

In between checking out artists in our Downtown Appleton venues, be sure to let out some creative energy at one of our Music Education events. You surely won’t be disappointed. And who knows, maybe you’ll be well on your way to being a didgeridoo aficionado too.

For more information on the Music Education Team, visit: http://mileofmusic.com/about/music-education/

Thank you to The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and Lawrence University for their continued support and community partnership with the Mile of Music Education Team!