This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Nov. 27, 2012 - The St. Louis Symphony is one of 22 institutions nationwide to receive a first-time Getty Education and Community Investment Grant from the League of American Orchestras.
The grant will aid the Symphony in developing its SymphonyCares program, which offers free concerts and music therapy. The program provides music to adults and children in local hospitals and other longer-term care facilities such as assisted living centers and nursing homes.
The repertoire of SymphonyCares includes pairing a violinist and a clown for young audiences, and providing musical duos to perform for patients receiving chemotherapy at Saint Louis University Cancer Center. Broader outreach will include performances at Siteman Cancer Center, as well as additional entertainment for adults and children with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
The three-year, $1.5 million total Getty grants serve to fund new and existing programs that include partnerships local cultural and community organizations such as schools or hospitals. First-year awards range from $14,500 to $37,500 each.
“More and more orchestras all over the country are finding innovative ways to help address community needs through music,” said League of American Orchestras president Jesse Rosen, in a news release. “The Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation’s commitment to encourage these important educational and community engagement programs is a great boost to orchestras’ ability to provide community relevance beyond the concert hall.”
