Embracing My Unique Talent
NEWS & EVENTS
Sunday, June 13 - Tune in to Focus Atlanta 12pm The CW69 (cable channel 10) to view the interview w/ Ken Ford, Dionne Farris, and Executive KFF Dir. Annette Jackson with host Keisha Lancelin!
Friday, June 18 - Tune in to CBS Better Mornings and check out Ken Ford & Friends talking about The Ken Ford Foundation Kick-Off Concert!
Monday, June 21 - The Ken Ford Foundation will be holding Auditions from 11am-2pm
at the Porter Sanford II Performing
Arts & Community Center, for Male Violinists Ages 10-17 to play the role of a young Ken Ford in the June 25 KFF Kick-Off Concert!
Each contestant must bring a prepared piece and be able to sight read. Improvisation will be an added bonus, but is not required.
GO TO THE CONTACT LINK IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS
Thursday, June 24 - Tune in to Good Day Xtra and check out Ken Ford & Friends talking about The KFF Kick-Off Concert!
Friday, June 25, 2010 - The Ken Ford Foundation Kick-Off Concert featuring Electric Violinist, Ken Ford / Grammy-nominated, singer/songwriter/producer I Am Daniel Moore of The MoNique Show and pop-soul-urban-alternative singer/songwriter Salakida.
ALL CHILDRED FROM 0-18 ARE FREE!
Porter Sanford Center for the Performing Arts
3181 Rainbow Dr., Decatur, GA 30034
View Flyer
Click Here to Purchase Tickets
Saturday, July 17, 2010 - "Making the Violin Fun" Workshop from 10am-2pm / Pre-registration is required /Click here for on-line registration/ Workshop will take place at:
The Porter Sanford Center for the Performance Arts
3181 Rainbow Dr.
Decatur, GA 30034
Saturday, July 31, 2010 - Another Ken Ford Benefit Concert!! w/ proceeds benefiting the Ken Ford Foundation _ The Sheraton Gateway Hotel (Near the Airport) 1900 Sullivan Rd. Atlanta 30337 .....9PM Show....Also Les Brown will be speaking from 1-3pm that same day! For more information and to purchase tickets, go to willwhitproductions.com
The Purpose
The purpose of the Ken Ford Foundation is to enhance youth through an appreciation of music, while fostering creativity and encouraging self-confidence.
A LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER:
First, thank you for your interest in The Ken Ford Foundation (KFF) and thank you to our partner 91.9 WCLK "The Jazz of the City" for coming on board and supporting our continous efforts. For several years, it has been my vision to birth an organization that is focused on keeping music education alive! I am thankful for the enthusiastic KFF volunteers, Executive Director Annette Jackson and board members who are working tirelessly with myself, the school systems and other charities to get our mission off the ground.
It was not easy growing up as a young boy playing the violin. It definitely wasn't a popular thing for boys. I would leave the violin at school a lot. When I did take it home, I took it home in a square case, because I did not want anyone to know I played a violin! This was mainly through elementary school and the early years of high school.
Well one day, I was going through my Father's record collection and ran across an artist holding a violin. His name happened to be Noel Pointer. After listening to Noel, that's when I first realized you can actually make the violin sound cool! I must admit, after that, I was hooked; all I wanted to do was play the violin in a cool modern way. I was just so fascinated by it! I did further research and found out about other violinists such as Jean Luc Ponty, Regina Carter, Stephan Grappelli and so on.
So reluctantly, I continued playing, even though my dad would trick me into practicing by having me play him to sleep every night. Little did I know he was faking falling asleep, but that was his cunning way of getting me to play every day! So I started getting better, and better, and better. I even started trying to play music from the radio and as a result, the kids at school were impressed and started respecting me for playing the violin! As a matter of fact, not only was my ego boosted, but my grades improved! In that vein, I want to give young people the opportunity to experience my joy and the fun in making the violin cool.
And that is how The Ken Ford Foundation was birthed!
Artistically yours,
Ken Ford
TO SEE WHAT ELSE KEN FORD IS UP TO PLEASE VISIT
WWW.KENFORD.NET
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is that musicians achieve higher grade point averages (GPA) and test scores than non-musicians in the same school. Exposure and opportunity to study music uniquely enhances higer brain functions required for reading, mathematics, chess, science, and engineering.
Our Mission Statement
The Ken Ford Foundation's (KFF) mission is to encourage generations of youth ages 5-18 to embrace their unique talents through an appreciation of music.
Foundation Overview
The Ken Ford Foundation focuses on enhancing academic excellence through music appreciation. Contrary to popular belief, music does play a very important role in a child's education. Music programs have been pulled out of most schools as unnecessary spending of tax dollars, and replaced by highly competitive sports. America spends 29 times more dollars than any other nation on education, yets ranks 14th out of 17 countries in academic excellence. The three top nations of academics all have mandatory music requirements for their students.
©The Ken Ford Foundation 2009 All rights reserved. 8075 Mall Pkwy ste. 101-328 Lithonia, GA 30038
Making the Violin Fun Workshops
Ken Ford personally teaches and demonstrates violin fundamentals and techniques to ALL students, no matter what playing level they're on.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR JULY 17TH WORKSHOP
The Mentorship Program
At-Risk youth are taught self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-discipline through the appreciation of music.
The Annual KFF Concert
Includes a live performance by Electric Violinist Ken Ford and will feature at least one National Artist, as well as include a special performance by a chosen student that has excelled through-out the KFF workshops.
The Scholarship Program
Provides financial assistance toward a college education for talented young students that have excelled through the KFF Workshops and Concert Performances
Yes, I want to become a Friend of The Ken Ford Foundation!
Your contribution will produce very tangible results:
NO GIFT IS TOO SMALL AND MAY BE DIRECTED TO ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM AREAS:
A RECEIPT WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU FOR YOUR TAX PURPOSES
The Ken Ford Foundation understands that the giving of your time is just as important, if not more important as the giving of your money. If you would like to give of your time to the KFF, Please complete and submit the form below and a KFF Representative will be contacting you at your convenience.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!
PARTNERSHIP LEVELS
Platinum Donor Level $20,000
(2 year partnership)
Corporate Name on All Material including Radio and TV information
Foundation Platinum Trophy
VIP Reception for (4)
Donor Mention at the Kick-off Concert
Gold Donor Level $10,000
(1 year partnership)
Foundation Gold Trophy
Silver Donor Level $7,500
Foundation Silver Trophy
VIP Reception for (2)
Pewter Donor Level $5,000
Foundation Pewter Trophy
Brass Donor Level $1,000
VIP Reception for (1) PARTNERSHIP LEVEL
The Ken Ford Foundation, Inc.
8075 Mall Pkwy ste. 101-328
Lithonia, GA 30038
Tel.: 1-877-876-7697
E-mail: info_thekenfordfoundation.org
Website: www.thekenfordfoundation.org
PLEASE USE ABOVE ADDRESS TO SEND YOUR DONATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
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