Despite a lack of arts resources in local schools, and the more recent educational challenges presented by the pandemic, Boston College Music Department part-time faculty member Barbara Gawlick has ensured that the lives of area youths are enriched through music.
51²è¹Ý President William P. Leahy, S.J., and Barbara Gawlick at the award presentation event. (Lee Pellegrini)
For her long-term service initiativeâthe Music Outreach Program, which she established in 2011 and has directed since thenâshe is this year's recipient Boston Collegeâs Community Service Award.
Organized by the Office of Governmental and Community Affairs, the award recognizes the outstanding contributions of a 51²è¹Ý employee whose actions exemplify the Jesuit spirit of service to others. Gawlick received the honor from University President William P. Leahy, S.J., at a recognition dinner held on June 1.
Through the initiative, 51²è¹Ý students provide weekly instrumental and vocal lessons to some 50 children and teens enrolled in schools located in the Allston and Brighton areas. In turn, the approximately 20 51²è¹Ý undergraduate and graduate students who participate annually gain valuable experiences.
"The Music Outreach Program has served as a critical lifeline in the education of hundreds of inner-city children, who otherwise would not have an opportunity to study music and experience its profound gifts,â Gawlick said. âAlong with the program's artistic mission, it also strongly aims to address issues of social justice and educational equality.â
In a letter notifying Gawlick of her award, Director of Community Affairs William R. Mills, Jr. wrote: âWe salute you for your labor of love that enables unprivileged children to be exposed to the beauty of music. As a specialist in early childhood music education, you conveyed your talents in schools that have limited or no music instruction, creating the Music Outreach Program with the presence of Boston College students so they could also get training on skill-learning public service opportunities.â
Gawlick was nominated for the award by her colleague Jeremiah McGrann, a Music Department professor of the practice and assistant chair, who noted that MOP âdirectly addresses two important interrelated aspects of Ignatian education: a commitment to actively serve the community, and learning beyond the classroom. Remarkably, Professor Gawlick was able to maintain the program during COVID through virtual online lessons.â
According to Gawlick, the program âfosters invaluable relationships between 51²è¹Ý student volunteers and the kids they teach. 51²è¹Ý students serve as instructors, mentors, and role models. Nothing illustrates our program better than the following statements reported by the most recent 51²è¹Ý volunteers:
'After our second lesson, my student asked if she can take the violin home to practice.'
'Once my students learned "Old MacDonald," they could not stop playing it over and over again, with big smiles.'
'My students did not speak English, but we communicated through gestures and music.'
âWithout the Music Outreach Program, hundreds of children would never know the feeling of pride and joy that comes from learning how to play and/or sing a song! In order to realize such musical goals, discipline and hard work on both the part of the student and the instructor are essential,â Gawlick added.
The programâwhich serves students at Brighton High School, Gardner Pilot Academy, and Thomas Edison Schoolâhas received support from or collaborated with 51²è¹Ý areas and local organizations, according to McGrann, including: 51²è¹Ýâs Institute for the Liberal Arts, Volunteer and Service Learning Center, Arts and Social Responsibility Project, and Music Department, as well as the Boston Cultural Council, Massachusetts Cultural Council, City Connects, and the 51²è¹Ý Neighborhood Center.
More information on the programâand a 51²è¹Ý documentary film titled Genesis, which highlights the programâs successâis available at the department website.
Rosanne Pellegrini | University Communications | June 2022