Shining A Light
On Music Education
OPPORTUNITY: In October of 2019, Sue Kuehnhold, Senior Director of Event Development for Drum Corps International approached Fran Kick about a grant she was pursuing for a new “Shining A Light” initiative to take place at Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. Her idea was to create a live celebration featuring music education on the Friday of DCI Championships.
RESULTS: In 2021, Sue successfully secured the grant and created an evening of local, regional, national, and international musical performances—including Indiana’s very own INpact Middle School Honor Band. Drum Corps International partnered with Downtown Indy bringing Fran Kick in to emcee this family-focused community gathering created to celebrate music education, music teachers, and the importance music plays in all our lives.
UPDATE: Shining A Light on Music Education has continued to be an annual event featuring an evening of live music ensembles emceed by Fran Kick. The event culminates in a salute to honor Hoosier Veterans with the Shining A Light audio, video and motion graphic production displayed on the AES Indiana building and the surrounding building facades around Monument Circle.
PRESENTED BY:
Shining A Light is a themed audio, video, and motion-graphic presentation synchronized with an Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra original score that takes place on Monument Circle, in the heart of Downtown Indianapolis. It’s a salute to Indiana Veterans as well as special events that highlight arts, culture, and diversity.
“You are a rock star!”
Katy Briel, Band Director at Clark-Pleasant Middle School, Greenwood, IN