Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Newman.
Hi Larry, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I decided back in high school that I wanted to be a musician. Trumpet was my main instrument and “going on the road” with a big band was my dream. I graduated from Temple University with a music education degree — “so I would have something to fall back on” if being a trumpet player didn’t work out.
A few months after graduating from Temple, I got a call to go on the road with The Glenn Miller Orchestra. The band toured 50 weeks a year — mainly on the bus — and I got to perform in 48 states, Canada and Japan. I traded road life for graduate school where I got a Masters in Music Performance and then worked in Atlantic City and with a number of cruise ship bands before finally settling down in Los Angeles.
It was in L.A. that I discovered my love for teaching and started Children’s Music Workshop. Realizing that very few elementary schools had bands or orchestras, I tapped into this need by creating a curriculum specifically written for K – 5 students. Thirty years later, I have written more than 250 music books (all available on Amazon) for elementary students and also coordinate instructional programs in two dozen L.A. area schools.
One of my proudest accomplishments is founding the All Schools Elementary Honor Orchestra. It is a citywide student orchestra of more than 100 students from dozens Los Angeles area elementary schools. The group has been performing continuously for the past 22 years – including performing virtually during the pandemic. The orchestra’s annual broadcast performances from Schoenberg Hall have garnered five Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards. I’m especially proud that my son, Tyler, received two Emmys for his role as the show’s producer.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
After a year of teaching online due to COVID-19, I am really looking forward to the fall and seeing our students again in person and on the school campus. CMW teaches a wide range of instruments including strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, guitar, ukulele and more.
Children’s Music Workshop offers financial aid to students who request it and we also work with local non-profits to provide music education to entire grade levels at underserved LAUSD elementary schools. Of course, we are more than happy to accept donations to support these efforts at www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/donate
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’m extremely fortunate to work with wonderful colleagues who are incredible musicians and teachers. Collaborating with such talented people to provide music education for young students is a dream job for which I am very grateful.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.childrensmusicworkshop.com • www.musicfunbooks.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thechildrensmusicworkshop
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/schoolmusic • www.youtube.com/jointheorchestra
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/39MtnxG
- Other: www.imdb.me/larrynewman
