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Arts-in-Education Residency

Fischoff is proud to announce that the Kenari Quartet has been selected as the winner of the 2023 Fischoff Ann Divine Educator Award. Read the full press release.

This year’s residency will occur Monday, November 27 – Saturday, December 2, 2023 in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties.

2023 Arts-in-Education Residency

Kenari - Smiling 1

Kenari Quartet is applauded for their “flat-out amazing” performances and delivers inspiring performances that “demolishes all preconceived notions about the saxophone.” Fischoff is delighted to bring back the Kenari Quartet, winner of Fischoff’s 2023 Ann Divine Educator Award. This national award recognizes the educational outreach work of Fischoff Competition alumni who have demonstrated outstanding and imaginative programming for children and youth in the United States. It honors musicians who have established professional careers in chamber music, and have proven their ability to successfully build a career in both chamber music performance and educational outreach. Formed in 2012 at Indiana University, Kenari Quartet has found a home performing on many of the premiere chamber music series in the United States. Recent engagements include appearances at Chamber Music Northwest, the Grand Teton Music Festival, and Chamber Music Tulsa.

2023 Stories and Music

As part of the Arts-in-Education residency, Kenari will present Fischoff’s signature S.A.M. I Am (Stories & Music) program. S.A.M. I Am reinforces the importance of reading through the power of music in a musical retelling of a children’s picture book. This year Fischoff is featuring the award-winning book, My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World, by author, and 2017 Superbowl champion, Malcolm Mitchell. Access full program information and companion education materials for teachers and students in our Online Resources repository.

English Cover - My Favorite Book

Schedule of Events

*Bold Events are open to the public

Monday, November 27, 2023

Stories and Music: Darden Elementary, South Bend, IN

Stories and Music: Monroe Elementary, South Bend, IN

Stories and Music: Charles Black Center, South Bend, IN

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Stories and Music: Muessel & Madison STEAM Elementary, South Bend, IN

Stories and Music: Lincoln Elementary, South Bend, IN

Stories and Music: Boys & Girls Club St. Joseph County, O.C. Carmichael Jr. Youth Center, South Bend, IN

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Stories and Music: Roosevelt STEAM Academy, Elkhart, IN

Workshop: Roosevelt STEAM Academy, Elkhart, IN

Workshop: Goshen Boys & Girls Club, Goshen, IN

Family Concert: Goshen Boys & Girls Club, Goshen, IN, 6 – 7pm

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Stories and Music: West Goshen Elementary, Goshen, IN

Stories and Music: Mary Daly Elementary, Elkhart, IN

Workshop: Fischoff Chamber Music Academy, Little Theater, St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN, 5:30 – 6:30 pm

Friday, December 1, 2023

Workshop: Riley High School, South Bend, IN

Stories and Music: Coquillard & Warren Elementary Schools, South Bend, IN

Stories and Music: Boys & Girls Club St. Joseph County, Wilson Elementary, South Bend, IN

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Stories and Music: St. Joseph County Public Library Main Branch, South Bend, IN
Free & Open to the Public
11 am – Performance in Leighton Auditorium
12 pm – Activities and Meet the Artists in the Library Ballroom
Event Information

Ann Divine Educator Award

Named in honor of longtime Fischoff Executive Director Ann Divine, who retired in 2018, this award recognizes her visionary leadership in cultivating community engagement through chamber music. The Fischoff Educator Award recognizes the educational outreach work of Fischoff Competition alumni who have demonstrated outstanding and imaginative programming for children and youth in the United States.

As the winner of the Ann Divine Educator Award, the ensemble receives a coveted endorsement from Fischoff, a cash award, and a weeklong community engagement residency including the creation and performances of Fischoff’s flagship S.A.M. I Am (Stories & Music) program along with performance workshops and community concerts.  

These programs provide arts experiences of the highest quality to students who would otherwise not have access to these opportunities, paying particular attention to underserved schools and communities. Through generous underwriting from foundation, corporate and individual donors, the Fischoff Arts-in-Education Residency programs are free to the more than 1,500 community members who annually participate.

Award Eligibility & Past Winners

The Ann Divine Educator Award serves as a complementary benchmark to the Fischoff Competition, which provides a forum for America’s finest emerging chamber ensembles. The Educator Award honors past Competition musicians who have established professional careers in chamber music, and have proven their ability to successfully build a career in both music performance and outreach education.

The Fischoff organization will select the winner from its national pool of alumni. While no application is necessary, Fischoff is always eager to hear from its alumni and learn of current activities.

All Fischoff Competition alumni who are engaged in music performance/education careers are eligible.  Fifty percent or more of ensemble members must have participated in the Fischoff Competition, but not necessarily in the same ensemble.  Ensembles must be comprised of three to six musicians.  Individual musicians and educators are ineligible.

Education Award Winners

2023 Residency Sponsors

This Fischoff Arts-in-Education Residency performance is generously made possible by The Shein Charitable Trust, Anonymous, Community Foundation of Elkhart County and the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County

Residency Accolades

Stories and Music Feedback

“the selection of a fairy tale integrated well with their current curriculum: It actually was perfect because earlier in the year we had done a Cinderella comparison with Rough Faced Girl and this tied into that perfectly. My students quickly made connections.”

– 2nd Grade Teacher, Beardsley

I have students who speak Spanish, but most are not literate in Spanish. However, they were excited to see Spanish represented, and a number of them borrowed the book to take home for their parents to read it to them. So we were grateful to have it.”

– 2nd Grade Teacher, Beardsley

Activities were “Spot-on for our grade level and interest level.”

– 2nd Grade Teacher, Parkside

One student’s parent reached out to me and said they have read the story every night before bedtime.”

– 2nd Grade Teacher, Swanson

My students could not stop talking about the show!” and asked “Are they coming back tomorrow?!

– Program Director, Charles Black Center

They loved making connections to the real characters and their instruments that they played.

– Teacher, Marquette Montessori

I am so happy that Fischoff’s program has become an annual staple in our community center. I look forward to seeing them every year, just as much as the kids do.”

– Program Director, Charles Black Center

Workshop & Masterclass Feedback

This visit overwhelmingly supports what I do—the students get to see where they can be going with their instruments, they feel important and are given an opportunity to be proud of the work and learning they’ve already done. They are more excited for learning their instruments … and felt valued as professional musicians played with them.”

– Band Director, Roosevelt STEAM

WindSync showed us the potential we could grow to if we keep practicing our instruments…This can be more than a hobby if we practice enough

– 5th Grade Wind Student, Roosevelt STEAM