Home >> Programs >> Sound Off! >> Classical Music Program

Classical Music Appreciated by Abused Children

On Monday, January 22nd, Create Now! was welcomed with open arms at Canal Street Elementary School in Orange, California, a division of Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused Children. When Beth Sussman agreed to once again do her music program with these children, it proved to be one of the highlights of their school year.

Janice Kuiken, Clinical Program Supervisor, was overwhelmed by the response; children with many behavioral problems and short attention spans not only listened quietly as Beth played for them classical music and taught them about composers, but they raised their hands, excited to answer questions and to ask them.

Beth Sussman got her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the Julliard School at a young age. She’s an award-winning pianist who has performed extensively in the United States and Europe, including performing at the prestigious Lincoln Center, in New York City.

Beth teaches a popular interactive assembly program at schools throughout Southern California. “Who’s Afraid of Classical Music” is a lively program of music including composers such as Gershwin, Debussy, Bartok and others. Aimed at children in Kindergarten through 8th grade, Beth educates children about the uniqueness of these composers. She uses music made popular in videogames, TV shows, movies and commercials.

Beth has also been named a Master Teaching Artist at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. In this capacity, she gives special presentations to children using music to teach concepts such as listening skills, keeping a steady beat (which is important for emerging readers) and recycling. Each presentation runs thirty minutes and is highly interactive. The kids really love it!

With her incredible skills and training, Beth’s services are in high demand. She is constantly hired to teach at many different schools, so her time is precious. Yet for the past three and a half years, she has continually volunteered her services through Create Now! to reach the most troubled kids in our community.

Many of the children that Create Now! serves attend special education schools because they suffer from emotional and behavioral disorders due to abuse, neglect and abandonment. Beth has donated her performances of “Who’s Afraid of Classical Music” at facilities like Hillsides Home for Children in Pasadena, Vista Del Mar in Los Angeles, Hathaway Children’s Services in Sylmar, Hollygrove in Hollywood, Five Acres in Altadena, Maryvale in Rosemead, and most recently at Canal Street Elementary School in Orange County. And through Create Now! , Beth had a unique experience teaching a group of Autistic children at the Julian Singer School.

Beth says, “I volunteer to perform for these children because I believe that great works of art, including classical music, are for everybody. Music can energize us, lift our mood, or calm us and by exposing children to this music, I hope that it can perhaps be a comfort to them.”

Some of the kids shared their appreciation of Beth’s program with Create Now! One child, Mickey, who attended Beth’s program at Five Acres was appreciative of Beth and her program. “I liked when she played the Bugs Bunny song. It was very cool when she told us what the pedals do. She taught us classical music is everywhere. Some of the songs made me laugh. They were fun. I am thankful that she came to visit.”

Another student, Ryan, remarked, “I don’t think I’m afraid of classical music any more. I liked the way she crossed her hands. I also liked when she taught us about some of the famous piano players. I really liked when she came.”

“This was the first time a pianist came since I’ve been at my school,” Jesse exclaimed. “Piano helps me think. Thanks.”

Kelly at Canal Street Elementary School wrote, "It was my very first time listening to classical music. I will listen to more classical music more often."

The staff also respond very favorably to Beth’s programs. Carol Landau, a Music Therapist at Hillsides remarked, “After the performance, it was obvious that the kids really benefited. They were all able to vocalize their excitement by saying things like, ‘Beth was really nice. I liked the way she asked us questions about the music.’ Through the creative arts, the residents at Hillsides are able to express their emotions and establish healthy relationships with other people.”

Shawna Manis, Assistant Director of Education at Hathaway School wrote, “Beth did a fantastic job. She allowed the students to make suggestions in how to create a variety of music by just changing the speed, articulation and volume of a given piece. She made the program fun and educational. All the students enjoyed themselves immensely.”

Janice Kuiken of Canal Street Elementary School says, "Beth brought our school an exciting musical program. For a period of time, our students left behind their special education qualifiers to listen, spell-bound, as their imagination took them on a musical journey. The students greet me as I walk across campus with cries of 'what fun' it was and to write thank you notes to Beth.  You left us wanting more."

Beth says, “I get terrific joy in sharing my love of music with both children and adults. I hope that I succeed in bringing classical music down to earth and demonstrate that it's accessible.”

Beth has noticed a difference between the way “normal” children react to her program and those that are abused and neglected. She observes, “Their responses are often more creative than at the other schools where I usually perform. These children seem especially receptive and appreciative.”

Beth donates a CD of the music pieces played at each school to keep their love of music alive after the program and help them continue to harmoniously Create Now!

To learn more about Beth Sussman’s music programs, click here.

We'd like to thank our sponsors: