PRESS RELEASE
August 15, 2005
For immediate release
COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND ARTS AT FINN CENTER RECEIVES
GRANT TO SUPPORT MUSIC IN ACTION PROGRAM
$6,000 Grant Will Help Support Multi-Cultural Artists-in-Residence
Program at Local Schools
Mountain View, CA – The music, dance, culture and traditions
of countries from around the world will come alive beginning
this fall for children at local public schools. Music in
Action, an arts-in-the-schools program of the Community School
of Music
and Arts (CSMA) at Finn Center, will welcome four Artists-in-Residence
to its program, which provides music education to thousands
of elementary school children annually.
A $6,000 grant from the Cisco Systems Foundation’s San
Jose Impact Grants Program will help to support classroom instruction
and live performances at local schools by Artists-in-Residence
from Kulintang Dance Theatre, The Russian Collection, Los Cenzontles,
and Musica Pacifica. Engaging, interactive concerts with professional
musicians are part of the Music in Action program, whose curriculum
this year explores the rich musical heritage of Baroque Europe,
Latin America, Southeast Asia and Australia, and Eastern Europe
through hands-on, sequential lessons.
“We are honored to partner with Cisco to bring music
education opportunities to underserved youth in Silicon Valley,” said
CSMA Executive Director Angela McConnell. “Support from
the company enables us to provide ongoing access to exceptional
music instruction and performances, strengthening the learning
environment in local schools.”
CSMA is one of more that 100 community organizations within
50 miles of Cisco’s headquarters to receive funding this
year as part of the company’s San Jose Impact Grants
program. “At Cisco, we are dedicated to building stronger,
more productive and self-sustaining communities,” said
Michael Yutrzenka, Executive Director, Cisco System Foundation. “We
continue to be impressed by the tireless work and dedication
of the Community School of Music and Arts, and we are proud
to provide support for its endeavors.”
The Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) at Finn Center,
a nonprofit arts education center founded in 1968, is committed
to providing Arts for All, regardless of age, level, background
or economic means. Annually, the school serves more than 30,000
people throughout the Silicon Valley region through: music,
visual and digital arts classes and camps; private lessons;
free concerts; lectures; exhibitions; and community outreach
events. In addition, CSMA collaborates with school districts
to bring hands-on arts education (Music in Action, Arts in
Action) to schools in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. In
keeping with its mission to make the arts accessible to all,
the school’s Financial Aid Program awards more than $185,000
annually to youth and low-income families. In January 2004,
CSMA opened its first permanent home Finn Center, 230 San Antonio
Circle, in Mountain View.
For information about CSMA and its programs, call 650-917-6800
or see www.arts4all.org.
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