March 14, 2006 > Charlotte Diamond benefit concert

by Mona Shah

Music for Minors II presents Charlotte Diamond in a benefit concert for children of all ages. Diamond is a nationally renowned children's recording artist and a former teacher who took her teacher's stipend and began a singing career 20 years ago.

Multi-lingual and creative, this artist hails from Canada and has recorded several Parent Choice winning CD's and videos to entertain children and build their self-esteem and academics with creative, fun-loving music. "My girls just love her music, we have been to her concerts and own several CD's of her music. We still enjoy listening to them," says Fremont resident Shelly Dunn.

Diamond will present an hour of musical fun and enrichment for families; proceeds from the concert will benefit Music for Minors II (MFMII), a non-profit music enrichment program committed to keeping music in our schools since 1988. With educational cutbacks in schools, it has become more important for schools to seek out volunteers to fill the void.

MFMII recruits, trains and provides resources for community volunteers or docents as they are called, to teach a 30-minute weekly music lessons in elementary schools. Docents are supported, even after their initial training, with free access to resource centers stocked with CD's, binders, music tapes, instruments and puppets - everything they need to teach music. The only requirement is a love for music and children.

Every spring MFMII showcases 200 children by providing an opportunity to perform on stage at Ohlone College. This is a culmination of the volunteer docents' weekly classroom program that allows the children to share their music and perform for their families.

This year, MFMII has recruited local businesses including Dale Hardware and Central Chevrolet of Fremont, to sponsor 10 needy children each so they can attend the Charlotte Diamond concert. The children targeted for this gift are from Tri-City Homeless Coalition and local Title I, or low-income elementary schools. MFMII is still seeking sponsors to support more of these children.

The annual fundraiser featuring Diamond will be an interactive event; she will entertain the audience while weaving a message of making the world a better place. Children are invited to join her on stage for singing, dancing, holding puppets and musical instruments, echoing MFMII's dedication to nurture a love of music and literacy in schools.

Charlotte Diamond in Concert
Saturday, March 18
2 p.m.
Harbor Light Church
4760 Thornton Ave., Fremont
For tickets call (510) 733-1189
Admission is $10