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Innovation at work ¨C the children playing music using improvised instruments

The children show off their dance moves

Students and the StART children sing together at the finale

Kuala Lumpur, 30 July 2010 - Students from Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ University¡¯s University Life course are doing their part to reach out to the community. On Friday, the students, all within the University¡¯s School of Music, raised RM2047.60 during a joint concert at the University¡¯s South Wing Campus for StART Society, an organization that teaches art and music to underprivileged children.

The two-month long project culminated with a program, ¡°Music Brings Us Together,¡± that included both contemporary and classical music and dance performances from both the School of Music and StART students, including one number performed together.

It means a lot to (my kids) to go on to a public stage and hear the applause, it really validates what they¡¯re doing,¡± StART Society Program Director Joshua Lee said. ¡°It was nice for them to find big brothers and big sisters taking an interest in them.¡±

Lee said the School of Music students met with the StART children on several occasions to prepare, and the whole experience helped improved the kids¡¯ self-esteem. He said most of the participants in StART come from broken families and have either been orphaned, abandoned or abused.

Dr. Christine Tan, a lecturer at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ University¡¯s School of Music and the instructor for its University Life course, said the concert was a way to teach her students important life skills.

¡°I think it¡¯s important for them to have leadership, outreach and responsibility and to give back to society with their talent,¡± she said. ¡°These children have the privilege to learn music. (Other than that) they have nothing.¡±

University Life is an introductory level course offered to first-year students to help them transition to the university environment. The course covers topics such as time management, cultural diversity and effective communication to help align students with Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ University¡¯s Graduate Attributes, which include qualities such as civic responsibility, leadership and being an engaged global citizen.