DuPage Foundation JCS Fund's Young People's Music Initiative Seeks to Provide Long-Term Benefits to Students
"As a result of budget constraints, schools throughout DuPage have been forced to reduce funding for instrumental music programs," said Barb Szczepaniak, Foundation director of programs. "The Young People's Music Initiative grants awarded over the past few years have helped fill the gap and have enriched the music education of thousands of students in our community. The grants to purchase and repair musical instruments are particularly impactful for low-income children whose families do not have the funds to purchase or rent instruments in order to participate in band or orchestra. Master classes provide students with the opportunity to improve their technical skills by working closely with high quality musical professionals. Ultimately, the expanded exposure to music programs through these grants is helping children develop a life-long interest in and love for music."
Schools receiving grants for the 2015-16 award period and the programs funded include:
• Consolidated School District 89-master classes for band and orchestra
• Community Consolidated School District 93-instrument purchases
• Community Unit School District 200-instrument repairs and purchases for early childhood programs, Orff training and orchestra coaching for each of the seven elementary schools
• Edison Middle School-repairs and instrument purchases, mentoring program and purchase of sheet music
• Franklin Middle School-instrument purchases, instrumental tutoring and purchase of composition for electronic instruments
• Glenbard South High School-master classes for band and orchestra
• Glenbard West High School-master classes and mentor support for band and orchestra
• Hadley Junior High School-instrument purchases
• Hubble Middle School-mentor support and instrument repairs and purchases
• Jay Stream Middle School-instrument purchases
• Marquardt Elementary School-purchase of electronic keyboards for all second grade students in the District
• Marquardt Middle School-mentor support and instrument purchases
• Monroe Middle School-master classes, instrument repairs and purchases and purchase of repertoire music
• Queen Bee District 16-master classes and instrument purchases
• Stratford Middle School-instrument and software purchases
• Wheaton-Warrenville South High School-instrument repairs and purchases, guest
speakers and performers
Grants were only made in support of instrumental music programs, which was a stipulation of this year's grant criteria.
"We are so appreciative of the JCS Fund grant because it expands our instrumental inventory in Community Consolidated School District 93," said Amy Dandeles, Jay Stream Middle School band director. "Our students are able to transition to instruments such as tenor saxophone and bass clarinet which increases the maturity of sound in our ensembles. Percussionists in our program are also able to play on a wide variety of classical and world percussion instruments. This grant increases the number of instruments lable to students with financial need. District 93 is proud to offer our instrumental music programs to all students and deeply thanks the JCS Fund of the DuPage Foundation for being such a wonderful partner in music education."
"Our District has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the DuPage Foundation," said Dr. Jeff Schuler, superintendent for District 200. "We greatly appreciate their partnership in our community. The continued support of our music programs through grant funds allows us to remain committed to supporting the arts in education. Maximizing community partnerships in our current economy is critical and the DuPage Foundation is a great asset in our community."
About the JCS Fund
The JCS Fund was established as an affiliate fund of the DuPage Foundation in February 2013. Its mission is to support art, music, cultural, health, and educational organizations serving the needs of residents of DuPage County, with a particular emphasis on programs that provide long-term benefits. The JCS Fund also has discretion to support charitable organizations serving other communities if it determines that the goals of these organizations are consistent with the Fund's charitable interests.
About the DuPage Foundation
The DuPage Foundation seeks to raise the quality of life throughout DuPage County by
fostering philanthropy, connecting donors to area needs and building community partnerships. Based on the American virtues of volunteerism and philanthropy, the Foundation fosters a legacy of support for the people of DuPage County by making grants to not-for-profit organizations working in the areas of arts and culture, education, environment, health, and human services. Since its inception, the Foundation has built its endowment to approximately $63 million and awarded more than $23 million in grants to not-for-profit agencies serving the residents of DuPage County and beyond.
Established in 1986, the DuPage Foundation is a publicly-supported 501(c)(3) organization to
which contributions are tax deductible. It was created to benefit the people of DuPage County and receives contributions and bequests into a permanent endowment from individuals, corporations, organizations and
foundations wishing to make lasting contributions to the people of DuPage. The earnings on these funds are then used, in accordance with donor wishes, for the Foundation's grantmaking and community leadership activities.
For more information about the Foundation, or to arrange future media opportunities, please contact Joelyn Kundrot, marketing & communications officer, at (630) 598-5290, or joelyn@dupagefoundation.org.