Show Me a Student With an Instrument in One Hand ... And I’ll Show You a Diploma in the Other!
Click Here to Donate Our Story ... Bravo Waukegan is entering its 10th year of collaboration with the Waukegan Public Schools’ music programs. What began as a grassroots effort to rescue the financially threatened music programs has become a cornerstone of support by providing resources, volunteer help and fund- ing for high-quality in-school, after-school and summer music offerings.
Why Music? Music is a driving force for academic success. Scientific research consis- tently confirms the strong link between music and academic achievement. Students who study music during their early school years are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college or a technical school than their peers who do not. By connecting students with music oppor- tunities, Bravo’s goal is to help students gain confidence and become engaged students who are involved with their schools and communities.
“Bravo’s commitment has directly impacted so many hard-working and hopeful families who are dreaming big and looking for ways to realize their dreams. — Waukegan Parent ” *2018 - 2019 Music Non-Music Waukegan High School Data Students Students
Music Participation 596 4,095 Participation Rate 13% 87% Graduation Rate 86% 70% AP Participation Rate 32% 9% Average GPA (weighted) 3.5 2.5 *Waukegan High School Students, Grades 9 - 12
Our Impact ... We’re proud of our accomplishments:
7,000 — number of students impacted by Bravo’s programs each year.
4,014 — number of individual music lessons provided to students since Bravo Buddies summer camp began nine years ago.
2,230 — number of instruments donated to the school district since 2010.
1,000 — number of middle school students who perform at the Genesee Theatre annually during the festival we host.
Our Future ... Bravo is grateful for your support! Together, we have given the children of Waukegan a multitude of opportunities to study, grow and develop to their full potential through music.
Our future plans include more contacts with some of the most highly respected arts organizations in the Chicago area — the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera, the Art Institute, Ravinia, the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra and the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra. Together, we are developing oppor- tunities for more students to explore the rich culture of Chicago and the surrounding communities through field trips, in-school professional perfor- mances, master classes, and workshops both for students and their teachers.
We need your continued support! Please consider making a year-end contribution to Bravo, which will serve as an investment in the decade ahead.
Click Here to Donate Board of Directors
Colleen Chandler Hector Rasgado Liam Connell Glen Roberts Christopher Dador Pat Sikorovsky Karen Griffin Barbara Steinseifer Judy Gummere Luis Vazquez Mary Lamping Kathryn Walker-Eich
Board of Advisors
Edgar Castellanos Mimi Murley Eugene Hotchkiss Mary Jo Papich Ashley Maentz James Stephenson
Community Supporters and Partners
A-major Music Inc. Northbrook Symphony Orchestra The Church of the Holy Spirit PostNet Family Piano Co. Ravinia First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest RMB Capital Forest & Found Signature Website and Graphic Lake Forest Symphony Design Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Lions Club Studio Kai MicroMetl The Tranel Financial Group Music & Arts ULINE Music Center of Deerfield Waukegan Community Bank The Music Room Waukegan Symphony Orchestra
Bravo’s Mission
Growth: Foster academic, artistic and personal growth for Waukegan public school students through music. Opportunity: Provide the highest quality resources to children who want to play music and to faculty who want to teach it. Community: Build a stronger Waukegan community and empower students, using music as a connector and a common language.