Bosnian Music School Receives Aid
from Dayton Group

Top Brass TrumEarl David Coleman teaches Bosnian music student. Photo credit: Dennie Eagleson, Antioch University

In September 1999, the Dayton chamber music ensemble Top Brass began the Student to Student humanitarian aid project. Through the project, Top Brass gathered more than $70,000 worth of musical instruments, food, computers, school supplies, personal items, tools, music and recordings from the Dayton community to donate to the Srednja Music School in Sarajevo. The sole source of professional music education in Sarajevo, the Srednja School is a critical part of the cultural life of Bosnia.

With assistance from the Ohio Arts Council's International Program, Top Brass traveled to Bosnia in May 2001 to participate in a seven-day residency at the Srednja School. The goal of the residency was to demonstrate that music is an effective way to express thoughts, ideas and emotions in a nonviolent manner. During the residency, the ensemble taught classes to Bosnian children and witnessed the donated instruments and supplies being used by appreciative students and faculty. Top Brass also performed on Bosnian television and at the Sarajevo Children's Theater.

Antioch University photography professor Dennie Eagleson accompanied the group and documented the residency in a collection of images that will be on display at various Ohio venues. Audio and video footage from the trip has been posted to the Top Brass website, www.topbrassmusic.com, and members of the ensemble have related their experiences to Dayton school children.

In May 2002, Top Brass presented the 2nd annual Paul Laurence Dunbar Award to Emina Dubravic, director of the Srednja Music School. The award honors individuals who have overcome great adversity to achieve success in their discipline. Dubravic kept music education alive during the war by teaching music to children in Sarajevo basements, enduring shelling, snipers, cold and hunger. The Srednja residency forged bonds between Top Brass and the Sarajevo arts community that will continue indefinitely.

Veterans Share Their Stories


The Creative Arts Institute (CAI) in Blacklick, Ohio is compiling stories of men and women who served in the military for the Veterans Oral History Project. The project demonstrates that history is not just about dates and places, but about the daily experiences of ordinary men and women. It examines the effect military service has had upon the lives, relationships and choices of these men and women. Veterans stories will be videotaped, transcribed and sent to the Library of Congress Veterans Oral History Archives. The Columbus Storyteller's Guild will make a documentary using stories collected from Ohio veterans.

CAI also is interested to learn how the military experience has affected the artistic expression of veterans and is looking for veterans who use art to express their war experiences. If you are a veteran or know a veteran who would like to participate in interviews regarding the military experience and artistic expression, call Donna Foster at 614/759-9407 or email curtcain@ohiohills.com. The Creative Arts Institute has been recommended for funding for this project through the Ohio Arts Council's Community Arts Program.