May 18, 2011

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES GRANT TO COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL

$28,000 grant will support Preparatory Program

Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, today announced that the Community Music School (CMS) has been recommended for a grant of $28,000 to support its Preparatory Program for outstanding young music students. The CMS is one of 1,145 not-for-profit national, regional, state, and local organizations recommended for a grant as part of the federal agency's second round of fiscal year 2011 grants. In total, the Arts Endowment will distribute more than $88 million to support projects nationwide.

CMS Director Carol Commerford stated, "This is the third NEA grant that the Prep Program has been awarded, which is a real compliment to Vera Parkin and the CMS. We've been able to provide outstanding chamber music instruction and present master classes with incredible artists and teachers like Leila Josefowicz and Emmanuel Ax that directly benefit the Prep students, and provide educational opportunities for the larger community as well." In 2011-2012 the award will support coachings, master classes and events such as the St. Looey Chamber Blitz, a weekend for young ensembles to be coached and perform for renowned chamber musicians. All events are open to the public.

The Prep Program is directed by Vera Parkin, who recently was named St. Louis Symphony’s Music Educator of the Year. One of the Prep ensembles, the Milo Quartet, won the silver medal in the Junior Division of Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition this past weekend. The Fischoff Competition is the largest chamber music competition in the nation and the world.

An independent agency of the federal government, the National Endowment for the Arts advances artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman said, "NEA research shows that three out of four Americans participate in the arts. The diverse, innovative, and exceptional projects funded in this round will ensure that Americans around the country continue to have the opportunity to experience and participate in the arts."

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov.

Founded in 1925, CMS offers outstanding music education and performance opportunities to students of all ages and abilities and serves the entire St. Louis metropolitan region and beyond. Classes are available at CMS headquarters located on the Webster University campus in Webster Groves, at Faust Park in West County, and in University City. For more information, call 314-968-5939.

The Community Music School of Webster University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and is a certified member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education. The Community Music School receives assistance from the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis and the Regional Arts Commission. Financial assistance for this project has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

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