The ASCAP Foundation Children Will Listen Program Comes to The Kennedy Center for "Ragtime" Performance

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - April 21, 2009) - The ASCAP Foundation Children Will Listen program, which is designed to introduce the American Musical Theater to youngsters who might otherwise not have the opportunity to experience it, travels to Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center on April 24th to bring over 100 students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts to a performance of "Ragtime" written by Tony Award-winning ASCAP members, lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty.

On April 23, the day prior to the performance, Ahrens and Flaherty will meet with the students at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts to discuss the show, the creative process and to help the students in connecting themes and issues to their own lives.

The ASCAP Foundation will provide free transportation to and from The Kennedy Center, and free orchestra tickets to the students. For many, this will be their first opportunity to meet with a Broadway lyricist and composer and then see a full production of a work they have created. Immediately following the performance, the students will participate in an interactive discussion of the show with Ahrens and Flaherty and members of the cast.

Karen Sherry, Executive Director of The ASCAP Foundation, was excited about bringing the Children Will Listen experience to Washington, D.C. "Every succeeding generation of creators and audience bring a fresh new perspective to the American musical and we are proud to be doing our part to encourage that continuity," she said, adding: "There is nothing more important to the future of the musical theater than bringing young people in to experience for themselves the music, singers, dancers, costumes and staging."

An additional educational activity, provided by The Kennedy Center, includes the Distance Learning Program in cooperation with the Prince William Network. This initiative offers arts-based educational programming free to teachers and students across the country through the Performing Arts Series. The program features artists and companies who perform at the Kennedy Center and explores the areas of music, dance, theater, and literature which then are broadcast live via satellite and the Internet to schools and communities across the country registered for the Performing Arts Series programs. To register your school, please visit http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/pwtv/.

On April 24, at 11:00 a.m. EDT, the Distance Learning Program broadcast with Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, moderated by ASCAP's Director of Musical Theater, Michael Kerker, will give students across the country a behind the scenes view of the new production of "Ragtime" as they explore the musical partnership between composer and lyricist. Students will also get a glimpse of the many elements -- including sets, lights, and costumes -- that make a production come to life and hear some of the well-known songs from the musical performed by cast members.

The ASCAP Foundation Children Will Listen program was established -- in honor of ASCAP member, Stephen Sondheim, composer/lyricist of "Sweeny Todd," "Company" and "A Little Night Music" -- in 2005 to bring the musical theater experience to young students nationwide. The program was named for one of the songs from his musical, "Into the Woods."

About The ASCAP Foundation:

Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators and encouraging their development through music education and talent development programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants, scholarships, awards, recognition and community outreach programs, and public service projects for senior composers and lyricists. The ASCAP Foundation is supported by contributions from ASCAP members and from music lovers throughout the United States. www.ascapfoundation.org

About The Kennedy Center Education Department

For over 30 years, the Kennedy Center Education Department has provided quality arts experiences through performances, residencies, workshops, conferences, career development programs, symposia, and on-line and print resources. In the past year, the Center's education programs have directly impacted more than 11 million people across the nation. The mission of the Education Department is to foster understanding of and participation in the performing arts through exemplary programs and performances for diverse populations of all ages that represent the unique cultural life and heritage of the United States. For more information, please visit www.kennedy-center.org/education.