STARKVILLE, Miss.--Recognizing his outreach efforts to elementary students, a Starkville school is honoring Mississippi State musician Robert J. Damm.
An associate professor at the university, Damm recently was presented the Artistic Contributor of the Year Award by Ward-Stewart Elementary School. He is a specialist in African-American music who also serves as the department of music education's outreach coordinator.
His leadership of departmental partnerships is supported by the Robert B. Holland Music Fund for All, which was established to help link the university with public schools through programs that encourage creativity, diversity and musical skills.
"In the five years that I have been here, Dr. Damm has given his time every year to help us produce outstanding programs," said Ward-Stewart assistant principal Susan Watts. "He is a true friend to the school."
Watt said Damm's most recent effort involved presentations that highlighted the heritage of Africa through drumming, dancing, singing, and storytelling. The program was a collaboration with Chris Melby-Codling, MSU lecturer in curriculum and instruction.
Last summer, Damm studied music and dance in Ghana, a West African nation that borders the Gulf of Guinea. He also has collaborated on MSU programs, including, among others, "African Music with Charles Johnson" and "Blues with Jesse Robinson," as well as Native American Day and Brazilian Festival.
