The International Society of Music Education, a worldwide organization which holds conventions every other year, has invited Sima Rolnick, a well known music educator from Kfar Saba, to present a paper on the amazing community music activities in Kfar Saba at this year's  convention in Beijing (July 25-August 8).

Sima submitted the following abstract of her presentation:

Twenty years ago a young pediatrician living in the medium-sized town of Kfar Saba, Israel, took a step toward fulfilling a dream of developing an active music program for all the children of his community.  Contacting local leaders, parents and music educators, he opened a foundation which would supply the vision, the financial support and the practical steps towards achieving this goal.  With the active cooperation and enthusiasm of people throughout the community, a program was begun that has grown over the years.  Today, all public school children in Kfar Saba have the experience of playing in musical ensembles or singing in music groups.  The Kfar Saba community music program is today a beacon in community music throughout the country and an example of mutual cooperation between the various musical organizations.

Sima will be explaining not only to the Chinese people but also to representatives from all over the world attending the conference, what makes Kfar Saba a beacon, how it happened and how it affected the city.

She believes that the city has a sense of community: people sharing a common interest in working together for the common good, in spite of, and maybe because of, its very varied population.

Kfar Saba's in-school music program, the establishment of large ensembles, the conservatory, the high school music track, vocal music groups and  remedial and rehabilitative music programs are among the topics on which Sima will elaborate. 

"Available citywide sponsored music education has enhanced the quality of life in Kfar Saba," says Sima, a founding member and board member of the Kfar Saba Music Foundation. "We have a great deal of which to be proud."   

 Look for Sima Rolnick's article in the next issue describing her experience in China and at the Conference itself.