Not everyone at Music Doing Good works directly with the students every day, but that doesn’t

mean we aren’t all connected to music in some manner. Helen McDonald’s path to her position as Music Doing Good’s CPA started with piano lessons, right here in Houston, at age eight. Today, her goal is to help make Music Doing Good the best possible nonprofit.

Helen has worked with nonprofits in Houston for over 20 years, including the Houston Independent School District, City of Houston, and the University of Houston. She has also held positions on the Board of Houston Texas Exes, the Music Therapy Center of Houston, and the Houston Art Cars. In addition to her work in the financial world, Helen has been a docent at the Museum of Fine Arts for more than 15 years.

Helen cites her mother, an HISD computer technologist teacher, as her greatest hero. She taught computer literacy to over 16,000 middle-school students in her 40 years as a Pershing Middle School teacher, and left a lasting impression on her students. Now, Helen is proud to work with an organization that has a positive impact on today’s students. “The work Music Doing Good does with our students helps them develop their confidence, poise, and self-esteem,” says Helen. She has enjoyed seeing the students grow and shine, both on stage and off. Having had the opportunity to work with students in our “Good Job!” internship program, she loves seeing how much self-esteem the students gain throughout the program.

Helen has a strong connection to the arts, both musical and otherwise. One of her heroes besides her mother is the iconic author, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, whom she heard sing and lecture at the University of Houston. In addition to her involvement as an MFAH docent, Helen enjoys attending lectures at the museum. Ever since she lived in New York City, Helen has always been a fan of Broadway musicals. Her favorites include Gypsy, the Sound of Music, and the Producers (which she is particularly fond of for it’s depiction of a singing and dancing accountant). Helen can’t wait to see which famous Broadway songs the Music Doing Good in Schools students include in their upcoming performance at Zilkha Hall on May 20th.

Aaron Kaufman “The Late Great Johnny Ace” Paul Simon

Aisha Ussery

“Really Love” D’Angelo

Helen McDonald

“Hero” Mariah Carey

Julie Lambert “My Hero” Foo Fighters

Lisa Elliott

“Hero” Enrique Iglesias

Kenneth Gayle “Beautiful Me” Donnie Marie Bosarge

“Heroes” David Bowie

Phillip Hall

“We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” Tina Turner

Ray Younkin

“Flash” Queen

Kimberly Cutchall

“Say Something” A Great Big World

WHAT’S ON OUR PLAYLIST?

In honor of this issue, we’ve asked our staff to submit their favorite songs of heroes and heroism. We hope you enjoy this collection of tunes!

2015 ISSUE 4 PLAYLIST

HEROES

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH DIANE SCHUUR

Diane Schuur and Marie Bosarge.

CELEBRATING HELEN MCDONALD

On October 15th, the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, Diane

Schuur performed “A Schuur Thing: An Intimate Evening with Diane Schuur” at Chateau Carnarvon, home of Music Doing Good founder Marie Bosarge. There were nearly 100 guests in attendance and the event raised $70,000 for Music Doing Good’s outreach programs. The event was chaired by Philamena Baird and Marie Bosarge. The cabaret-style performance included Ms. Schuur’s most beloved songs as well as an intimate peak into her amazing career and life. We were honored to have “Deedles” serve as an ambassador to Music Doing Good for one very special night. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the evening!

4203 Yoakum BoulevardSuite 200Houston, Texas 77006

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PA I DHOUSTON, TX

PERMIT NO 2454

QUARTERLYNOTES

Diane Schuur and Joseph Peraza.

On Saturday, October 24th, Music Doing Good in Schools students experienced a gift of a lifetime when they participated in a Master Class with the legendary Diane Schuur, affec-tionately known as “Deedles.”

The hand-selected students took copious notes as Deedles imparted to them her rise to stardom. They had the opportunity to perform for Ms. Schuur and she accompanied them on the piano. Although quite nervous, they all did an incredible job. Some sang original scores, while others performed Deedles’ own songs for her. True to form, she took the time to give each student constructive feedback on their performances.

The students also had the opportunity to speak with Diane one-on-one as they joined her for lunch after the class. Her warm and charismatic personality made each student feel at home and they were able to see how an internationally renowned performer operates. An enormous thank you to Diane Schuur for making our students feel so welcome and giving them an afternoon they will never forget!

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 4 • FALL NEWSLETTER 2015

A MASTER CLASS WITH DIANE SCHUUR

Here’s Your Chance to Be a Hero! Established in 2012, Giving Tuesday is a global initiative of giving back. Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday hopes to capitalize on anticipated holiday spending to include charitable giving, thus creating a new tradition of generosity. Please consider making a donation to Music Doing Good on December 1st as part of Giving Tuesday. No donation is too large or too small. Thanks in advance for helping us create a world where we all live in concert.

On October 15, 2015, more than 75 guests attended Music Doing Good President’s Leadership Council

concert entitled, “Grow the Garden,” at Chateau Carnarvon, the home of founder Marie Bosarge. More than $50,000 was raised for music scholarships to three Houston Universities: University of St. Thomas, Texas Southern University, and University of Houston.

The President’s Leadership Council is a prestigious group of community leaders who believe in the transformative power of music and its positive societal impact on individuals, families, schools and communities. Its prominent members are from Houston’s academic, real estate, arts, entertainment, media and corporate sectors.

Members include: Evin Thayer, owner of Evin Thayer Studios and PLC Chairman; Anna Arispe and John Reger, owners of Wig 4 Wig; Linda Lorelle, President and Executive Producer, Lorelle Media, LLC; Dee Dee Dochen, owner of DDD Marketing Communications; Bill Baldwin, President of Boulevard Realty; David Chambers, Chief Development Officer, Houston Symphony; Kimberly Cutchall, President and CEO, Accendo International; Andrew Davis, Director of Moores School of Music, University of Houston; and Dr. David Ashley White (honorary), former Dean of the Moore School of Music at University of Houston.

We are also proud to welcome the newest members of the President’s Leadership Council: Paul David van Atta, President and CEO of

HEROES IN THE MAKING

Performers from the PLC concert.

(continued on page 4)

MUSIC NOTES FROM MARIE“When you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong and you’ll finally see the truth- that hero lies

in you.” - Mariah Carey

Who are heroes? What makes them different from others? Well, the answers are everyone and nothing, respec-tively. We are all familiar with the comic book heroes like Captain America, Batman and Superman. They too were just regular citizens who knew they could be in service to others in a larger way…and they had really great cos-tumes! But we don’t need capes, masks or shields to do the heroes work.

As author and essayist, Edward Abbey said, “Yes, there are plenty of heroes and heroines everywhere you look. They are not famous people. They are generally obscure and modest people doing useful work, keeping their fam-ilies together and taking an active part in the health of their communities…”

Many of the families involved in Music Doing Good outreach programs are faced with serious challenges in their daily lives. Often they are single parents, working multiple jobs, and struggling to provide basic needs for the family. We see how the entire family is affected in a positive way when their children become involved with music

and for many, these music programs are no longer being offered in the schools. The positive experience of the child has a ripple effect to the family and into their communities.

We need your support, joining the everyday heroes, to ensure that the next generation receives inspiration, motivation, and the chance to achieve their full potential. I know without a doubt, that music can deliver this goal. Perhaps, in this story, music is the hero as well.

QUARTERLYNOTESVOLUME 3, ISSUE 4 • FALL NEWSLETTER 2015

More than $50,000 was raised for music scholarships to three Houston Universities.

Kimberly Cutchall, CEO of Accendo International

What song come to mind when you think about heroes? If a “hero” is someone who is noble, courageous, and commits brave deeds in the face of adversity, danger, or weakness, then I see heroism all around me.

“It’s Not Easy to Be Me” (Five for Fighting) We don’t really know what a person is going through and the struggles they have, AND the strength they discover. They might not “look” like a hero on the outside, but in attitude and behavior, they are. This song is about fear and vulnerability -- doing great things despite self-doubt. I think about our military suffering from PTSD. I think about the woman who finally walks away from an abusive relationship. I think about my brother who has a debilitating form of MS who, just knowing he gets out of bed with his smile, is my ultimate hero.

What are you hoping to accomplish as a member of the PLC? I want to be a part of building on the momentum that MDG has created over the last few years. I want

to help take the organization, that has been so breathtakingly special to a close circle of people for many years, and help bust open the doors so more people are not only exposed to the MDG talent, but create their own contagious energy to replicate the awareness. And so on… and so on… This is the most generous and interesting city in the country. To give Houstonians an opportunity to see this level of talent in our young people, and understand how critical their financial support is towards sending more of these young adults to college, is my driving force.

In what way did music impact you as a child? Music was everywhere in my childhood. I played piano, I sang, I danced, and I was even a synchronized swimmer. As a child, everything was set to music. My whole family would play or do something around music. We even had themed family dinners with music always being the most important setting. My parents had music all around us. And not just for a musical exposure perspective, but this was about cultural exposure (think Herb Alpert, Etta James, Latin artists, every musical you can imagine, and even Michael Jackson when he first broke out on his own… my parents played it all in our home.) That love continued in college. I was on a dance scholarship and choreographed as well. Music selection for me was as important as the dance movement itself. That love for music is embedded in my essence to this day. I am rarely without music around me.

What’s your favorite story of how music has had a positive impact on the life of a child? I was on the board of directors for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Houston in the 90s. We had the opportunity to showcase our organization at one of the Houston Rockets NBA playoff games in 1995. We came up with the idea to have a group of 10 of our Little Brothers and Little Sisters out on the court. I choreographed a dance for them set to the theme of our upcoming bowling fundraiser: Great Balls of Fire. So, of course, I picked the Jerry Lee Lewis song “Great Balls of Fire.” We created bowling pin costumes, and set a dance on them. The littlest, Rachel, was SO full of energy, but very shy. Every time the music came on, she literally couldn’t hold still. I would plead for her to hold still, but she would reply (with a HUGE smile): “Ms. Kimberly, I AM holding still. This music just makes me MOVE!” So I reset her part to move almost non-stop and she SHINED. The audience was so excited, supportive, and on their feet to the beat….in the middle of an NBA playoff game. It was a life-changing event for the kids and for me.

How do you think music can help the next generation?Music is about discovery, innovation, creativity, math, reading, comprehension, emotions, finding silence, exploration, confidence, self-awareness, overcoming fear, finding power, sharing space, expression, energy, storytelling, life. How can it NOT help every generation?

Were there artists that inspired you?I find such joy in all music. If the artist is authentic in their love of their art, it is a fulfilling experience. I could sit and listen to anyone who wants to share their gift. I honor the ideation process that gets them where they want to be with a song or composition. I love watching the creation take shape. I am inspired by random music from random artists. And I truly like the off the path artists because their fire and purpose seems so unconsciously clear to them. I am the one in tears at the Music Doing Good events because of the raw talent I witness that reaches inside my heart and grabs my emotions…and my gratitude.

MEET THE PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL!

“What we need now are heroes and heroines, about a million of them,

one brave deed is worth a thousand books. Sentiment without action is

the ruin of the soul.”

- Edward Abbey

“My own heroes are the dreamers, those men and women who tried to make the world a better place than when they found it, whether in small ways or great ones. Some succeeded, some failed, most

had mixed results... but it is the effort that’s heroic, as I see it. Win or lose, I admire those who fight the

good fight.”

- George R.R. Martin

Over the summer, a small group of dedicated students from Music Doing Good in Schools joined us in our offices for a one week intern program entitled, “Good Job!” These students learned about the preparation and work required to stage a performance, both artistically and administratively. As the students spent more time with the show, they decided that in addition to their regular work, they wanted to compose their own original song to be featured in the performance. Together with Music Doing Good’s Phillip Hall, the students composed “Latinos In America,” a song that celebrated their unique Latino culture. At the end of the week, the students recorded the song in our professional recording studio and performed it for more than 40 people in our office.

Earlier this fall, the Music Doing Good in Schools’ students performed at the “No Bully Here” Music Festival. The festival uses music and dance to promote positive behavior and non-violence. There were a large number of Hispanic students in the audience, and when the Music

Doing Good group performed “Latinos In America,” the audience was ecstatic! Even the youngest students were listening and dancing along, particularly excited to hear a song featuring Spanish language and one that represented their culture. By the end of the song, the audience was singing along and cheering.

After the performance, the students from Music Doing Good were having lunch in the park to celebrate. While they were eating, a group of younger students from another school ran up to them to ask questions and sang the words back to them. Our students felt like rock stars!

If you haven’t yet had a chance to see the students perform “Latinos in America,” don’t fret! Tickets will soon be available for “On Broadway,” the next Music Doing Good in Schools spring concert! The performance will feature students from schools across Houston who spent the entire school year learning about Broadway and its history. The performance will be May 20, 2016, Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center.

Music Doing Good in Schools students at Cummings Elementary were treated to a special performance and presentation from members of the nationally renowned chamber orchestra, Sphinx Virtuosi. This classical ensemble is comprised of some of the nation’s top young African American and Latino classical musicians. Once selected, the musicians act as cultural ambassadors, spreading classical music to new audiences. The musicians perform pieces composed by African-Americans and Latinos, in addition to popular pieces by artists like Mozart and Piazzolla.

Sphinx Virtuosi’s performance was particularly important for Cummings Elementary, a school with a predominantly African American and Latino student body. This was the first chance for many of these students to see classical musicians of color perform first-hand. Most students don’t consider classical music an attainable path when they have no role models of color. Additionally, for many of these students, the performers introduced the idea of working in the arts as a real career.

Aisha Ussery, program director for Music Doing Good in Schools, was asked to introduce the performers to the students. When she went up on stage, she asked the students if they were excited to listen to classical music, but the kids actually shouted back “No!” The musicians of Sphinx Virtuosi were not deterred, however, and despite their initial hesitance, the students were soon nodding along and fully engrossed in the performance. By the end, the students were dancing along to the music. Afterwards, many of the students were eager to ask about their instruments and training. An important part of being a hero is making achievement feel attainable. The more we relate to the hero and their struggle, the more we feel connected. For many at risk students, it only takes seeing that a future in the arts is possible to help motivate them to pursue a life of music. We are so thankful that our students were given the opportunity to meet and hear these amazing musicians!

FROM INTERNS TO ROCK STARS – NO BULLY HERE

UNEXPECTED INSPIRATION FROM SPHINX VIRTUOSI

The ensemble at the conclusion of the performance.

On their final day, our summer interns perform their original song, “Latinos In America” for the staff.

“Heroes are not made. They are born out of circumstances and rise to the

occasion when their spirit can no longer coexist with the hypocrisy of

injustice to others.”

- Shannon L. Alder

Jon Charles is the Chief Professional Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas,

and oversees 28 units in Killeen, Gatesville, Georgetown, Copperas Cove, Lampasas, Marlin, Belton, and Harker Heights. In 2006, he co-founded the Texas Music Camp for Teens and in conjunction with the world-renowned Kerrville Folk Festival, continues to produce the event annually. Three years ago, Music Doing Good began a partnership with the music camp - donating instruments to its participants - and that relationship continues to thrive. Recently, we spoke with Jon Charles to get an in-depth look at the Texas Music Camp for Teens and the exceptional musical opportunities he and the Kerrville Folk Festival continue to provide.

How did you come to be involved with the Boys and Girls Club, and how long have you been with them? I started as a youth in 1960 when my dad started the Boys Club of McAlester, Oklahoma. I have over 40 years of experience working in Boys & Girls Clubs and became a “Master and Mentor” in 2014 for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

When and with whom did you begin the Texas Music Camp for Teens? We started in the summer of 2006: My wife Francie and I met and discussed this idea with Dalis Allen, Producer of the Kerrville Folk Festival. The three of us worked up a concept, and that same concept continues to work today.

How does the program work? In sessions throughout the day, kids along with professional singer-songwriters and poets, create poetry and music and perform the material created during our nightly open mic. We break youth into four groups based on age and they have a group leader and volunteers who are also encouraged to participate. This is a program where everyone supports everyone else throughout the camp.

What is the program’s mission? To help youth find their own voice and sound. It is very important today to help kids realize they can create their own music and that their voice can be heard.

What professional artists have participated in the camp? Annie Wenz, Tom Prasada Rao, Steve Seskin, Roy Wooten, Jena Kirkpatrick, Tim Mason, Josh Gaines, Paul Pearcy, Ken Gaines, Frank Meyer, Bill Oliver, Sara Hickman, and many more.

Annually, how many children attend the camp? We normally have around 75 teens during camp. Some come through local Boys & Girls Clubs, others come through the Kerrville Folk Festival, or they find us online. We have had youth travel to us all the way from Florida.

How many instruments have you gifted to students? We have provided instruments to over twenty different youth since we began this program. In the past three years, we have been blessed with our partnership with Music Doing Good to receive many of those instruments.

What are your future goals for the Songwriting Camp? We want to continue to make a difference in the lives of the youth who attend. We are hopeful to continue to add new elements as we move forward. Eventually, we hope to offer this to other parts of the country.

How does the relationship between the Boys & Girls Club and Music Doing Good help to further the mission of the camp? That relationship enhances the ability to help children learn at music camp and in our year-long music programs we offer at the Boys & Girls Club. Together, we can continue to make sure that every child who is willing to learn is not hindered by their economic situation, and that they continue to find joy in creating and learning music.

How can supporters become involved or help with the camp?

To support a child at camp, they can contact me at jcharles@bgctx.org or go to our website at www.bgctx.org or www.kerrvillemusic.com. They can also volunteer at one of our sites, or volunteer with us at camp. We do a background check on all volunteers. We are always open to those who give from the heart especially instruments, talent, or treasure.

PDV Special Events; Kristi Conway, Senior Vice President of Frost Bank; Dr. Jason Oby, Professor of Fine Arts at Texas Southern University; Victor Washington, Owner of Washington & Sons; and George Cairnes, Senior Financial Advisor for Well Fargo Bank.

Music Doing Good artists Kenneth Gayle, Ray Younkin, Aaron Kaufman and Phillip Hall were also joined by several students who participate in Music Doing Good outreach programs. Music Doing Good in Schools participants Dariana Mejia, Katherine de la Torre, Mireya Moreno, Osiris Cortez and Marina Mejia performed their original song, “Latinos in America,” which was written during their time in the

“Good Job” summer internship program. Music Doing Good Scholarship recipients also contributed to the concert program. Sherry Hu, performed on the Guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument and Sean Holshouser contributed to the vocals as well. The artists were joined by Texas Southern University professor and vocalist, Jolie Roche Brown.

We are truly grateful to everyone in atten-dance and for making the event a huge success!

A VETERAN HERO: AN INTERVIEW WITH JON CHARLES

PLC CONCERT RECAP (CON’T.)