NYSEG Funds Instrumental Music in Schools

The NYSEG Foundation, Inc. has granted The Weekend of Chamber Music $5,700 that will allow it to expand the instruction it has been providing in Monticello and Liberty middle and high schools since 1996 to other Sullivan County schools as well. In addition to concerts they play in the schools, WCM faculty give individual lessons, coach chamber music groups, and work with bands and jazz ensembles. The grant will also help fund a new project, in which four Monticello High School instrumentalists selected as interns for The Weekend of Chamber Music Festival 2001 will be taught by Festival participants, will attend Festival rehearsals, and will perform a piece composed for them by Nancy Wegrzyn on a Friday night Festival concert.

The school and Festival instruction is also supported by a grant from Amateur Chamber Music Players.

The WCM musicians, variously affiliated with prestigious professional musical organizations, are spending 65 hours teaching this spring and fall as part of WCM’s 2001 Schools Projects, under the leadership of WCM Artistic Director Judith Pearce. A result of their expertise and efforts can be heard in a concert they will give jointly with groups they have coached on May 12th at 7:30 in the Monticello Middle School on John St. (Tickets:(845) 932-8414; information: (845) 932-8527.

In awarding the NYSEG grant, foundation president Sherwood J. Rafferty recognized WCM’s "commendable efforts in the community." WCM had been encouraged to apply by NYSEG Division Manager - Customer Service in Liberty Stephen E. Sabine, who also shepherded the grant from Sullivan County to foundation headquarters in Binghamton.

Pearce expressed her gratitude to NYSEG, saying "This grant encourages us in our ongoing mission of helping children and young adults in our home region discover the joys of hearing and making great music."