More Than $82 Million Awarded for Arts Projects Nationwide

    KALAMAZOO, MI, June 09, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $82 million to fund local arts projects and partnerships in the NEA's second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2016. Included in this announcement is an Art Works award of $10,000 to the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra for the Artists-In-Residence program. The Art Works category supports the creation of work and presentation of both new and existing work, lifelong learning in the arts, and public engagement with the arts through 14 arts disciplines or fields.

"The arts are all around us, enhancing lives in ways both subtle and obvious, expected and unexpected," said NEA Chairman Chu. "Supporting projects like the one from the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra offers more opportunities to engage in the arts every day."

"The KSO's Artists in Residence (AIR) Program is a cornerstone of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra", said Peter H. Gistelinck, President & CEO of the KSO. "Its mission is completely in line with KSO's vision and our new Strategic Plan, that will lead our orchestra into our 100th anniversary in 2020-2021".

The KSO Artists in Residence (AIR) Program embeds 9 principal musicians of the KSO within the community to conduct educational residencies, teach/mentor young musicians, and enhance school music programs through professional, live performances connected to learning concepts. Active September through May, AIRs dedicate an equal amount of services to community projects as they do to orchestral and chamber music performances on the KSO stage. KSO AIRs are professional musicians of the highest caliber as well as expert teaching artists. Past activities of the AIR program have included:

- Residencies in 7 KSO Partner Schools, including two rural schools with limited access to arts programming and four urban schools with highly diverse student populations. Resident artists develop a yearlong relationship with students and teachers, connecting via multiple visits and relevant activities, programs, and performances. Artists work with music and classroom teachers to develop programs that explore concepts connecting music with core curriculum subjects. Culminating celebratory activities highlight students and musicians performing their work together for teachers, peers and parents.

- Small ensemble presentations in 60 area elementary schools. Performances connect to concepts of the music teacher's choice, and also help prepare students for the KSO's annual free school Youth Concert program.

- "Musical Storybooks" performances in collaboration with the Kalamazoo Public Library and other community venues, engaging preschool students in exploration of stories presented with music, instrument demos and interactive learning.

- Chamber ensemble or solo presentations tailored to 3 and 4 year-olds in KSO's Marvelous Music! partnership, bringing a high-quality music curriculum to 38 high-need preschool classrooms.

- Family Fun Chamber Music Series performances, specially designed for elementary-aged children and their families, featuring chamber versions of masterworks such as Peter & the Wolf and Carnival of the Animals. These events conclude with an Instrument Petting Zoo.

- Private instrument instruction for advanced students at Crescendo Academy of Music, Kalamazoo's leading non-profit community music school.

- Group instrument instruction/sectional rehearsals for Kalamazoo Kids in Tune, KSO's intensive afterschool and summer orchestra program.

- Ensemble/sectional coaching and college/career guidance for students of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra.

To join the Twitter conversation about this announcement, please use #NEASpring16. For more information on projects included in the NEA announcement, go to arts.gov.

Visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com for up-to-date information, details and schedules. Prices, artists, dates, time and program are subject to change without notice.

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra receives major support from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra also receives generous support from other local, state and national foundations, as well as private and corporate support. For more information, visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com.

About the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1921, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is Southwest Michigan's premier musical organization, providing musical enrichment to over 80,000 adults and youth per year.  The third-largest professional orchestra in the state, the KSO has won numerous awards and grants, including the Met Life Award for Arts Access in Underserved Communities, the National Endowment for the Arts for its extensive education programs, and a major Ford Foundation grant to found its innovative Artists-in-Residence program.

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