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A resolution celebrating the 42nd anniversary of the W.O. Smith Music School.
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WHEREAS, the W.O. Smith Music School was established in 1984 with a mission to provide affordable quality music instruction to children from low-income families; and
WHEREAS, W.O. Smith Music school was established by William Oscar Smith. Dr. Smith was an esteemed jazz musician, a professor at Tennessee State University, and the first Black regular member of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra; and
WHEREAS, the idea for the W.O. Smith Music School came through a gathering of a multicultural group of community members called the Wednesday Night Club, after Dr. Smith highlighted the number of students with desire to participate in music without sufficient money to do so; and
WHEAREAS, the school opened in October of 1984 and offered low-cost classes to 45 Nashville students; and
WHEAREAS, today, the school continues to offer private lessons and ensemble classes to students who qualify for free or reduced lunches; and
WHEREAS, classes are offered for only 50 cents a session and students are provided with an instrument of their choosing, a volunteer teaching artist, and any musical materials for their studies; and
WHEREAS, every year hundreds of students take lessons at W.O. Smith and are able to grow their passion for music and practice the self-discipline required to improve their craft; and
WHEAREAS, the W.O. Smith School has been recognized for its contributions to music education, being named for a Best Community for Music Education School for the fourth consecutive year by the National Association of Music Merchants.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as celebrating the 42nd anniversary of the W.O. Smith Music School and its dedication to music education and arts equity in Nashville and Davidson County.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.