EAST PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School has received a $75,000 grant from the Hearst Foundation Inc. to support the organization’s social justice initiatives that bring music education to underserved elementary, middle and high school students.
The philharmonic said national research and its own data demonstrate that children living in less-affluent zip codes suffer from an opportunity gap regarding access to music education and other programs typically available to their more-affluent peers.
The Hearst Foundation’s grant will support the R.I. Philharmonic Music School’s financial aid program for new and current students and youth ensemble members.
In addition, the funds will help advance the philharmonic’s community partnership initiatives, including Link Up, a yearlong music literacy curriculum offered by the philharmonic that reaches more than 12,000 students in more than 100 elementary schools each year, and Victoria’s Dream Project, a strings program for students in grades 3-5 at Pawtucket’s Agnes E. Little Elementary School that provides alumni with tuition-free instruction at the R.I. Philharmonic Music School through their high school years.
“Approximately one-third of our Music School students receive financial aid,” said David Beauchesne, executive director of the R.I. Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. “Grants from national foundations [such as] Hearst, as well as local support, are critical to our ability to provide high-quality programs with exceptional teaching artists to all children and adults, not just those who can afford to pay for it.”
