Carol Channing Sharing a Gift of Music | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Fresno, CA We were at the southeast Fresno home of Carol Channing' sister-in-law and brother in law when the entertainer greeted the bus load of budding musicians from Five Points arrived.

Channing and her husband Harry Kullijian's foundation donated nearly two dozen musical instruments to the tiny school's orchestra, "Harry: Now she plays the trumpet and you play the trumpet. What do you play?"

Their foundation has been offering scholarships at the University of California campuses for several years but this is the first of what will be a statewide effort to support K through 12 public schools according to Harry Kullijian, "To bring it back into education so are kids will be challenged, will be creative and be able to do things they are failing to do now."

Baldo Hernandez, the school's principal, was thrilled to have his youngsters receive the first benefit, "It's absolutely marvelous what you're doing." Carol Channing replied "Well it's got to be done doesn't it. Hernandez responded, "You know the first thing goes when you get cut financially it's the arts."

And now these budding musicians from Westside Elementary School have brand new creative tools for its school orchestra. Elizabeth Pena plays the clarinet, "I think they're very giving and very nice people." The students and their conductor/teacher had a gift of their own - a special number just for Carol Channing. Their rendition of 'Hello Dolly" When asked if she'd like to sing with them she stepped right up and sang the song she performed on Broadway and around the world in more than 5-thousand nights the show's run.

Carol Channing has spent a lifetime working in the arts and believes every child should have the opportunity to experience creativity during their education.

There's a reason why she's still taking bows, she is still giving of her talent wherever it's needed.

http://www.drchanningfoundation.org/