WES Goes to School
As a part of the Marilyn K. Glick Women's Enrichment Series, the Propylaeum initiated WES Goes to School which provides programs for students at Shortridge High School. WES Goes to School has enabled us to expand our mission of celebrating and promoting the potential and contributions of women and girls in our culture. In 2018 world renowned opera singer Angela Brown wowed the students with her "Opera... From a Sistah's Point of View" presentation. In 2019 Indiana Avenue--Life and Musical Journey from 1915 to 2015 author Aleta Hodge with pianist Carl Hines shared the history and music of some of the Indianapolis musical greats, including Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, and the Inkspots, as well as information about the women who trained many of them.
In the spring of 2020 the Propylaeum will sponsor jazz pianist/composer and IU faculty member Monika Herzig as she shares with the Shortridge students the history, music, and challenges of women jazz artists. Her all female jazz group Sheroes just recently returned from its tour of Europe's most prestigious jazz clubs and Egypt's Jazz Tales Festival sharing music from its acclaimed Sheroes album/CD. The Propylaeum is exploring ways to help sponsor Monika's Jazz Girls Day, a jazz clinic for girls throughout our state, this year held in Bloomington. The purpose of the clinic is to invite girls and young women into the world of jazz, a world that has been historically challenging for women to enter. With a doctorate in Music Education with a minor in Jazz Studies from Indiana University, Monika is the author of David A Baker—A Legacy in Music, and Experiencing Chick Corea: A Listener's Companion. Propylaeum members will also remember Monika as the featured performer at a recent Salon Society event.
The Indianapolis Propylaeum is inspiring the next generation of female leaders by providing direct access to accomplished women, promoting individual networking, and strengthening community and industry partnerships in Indianapolis. WES Goes to School is an integral component of this most worthy mission.
