Project Proposal
Funds from the Foundation will be used to purchase strings for the instruments, as well as new stringed instruments for an electric string quartet. Financial support will also be used to hire clinicians from the area and from the Omaha Symphony to help students further improve their skills.
Amount Funded
$10,000
“The orchestra program is important for students’ overall growth, and there are also numerous studies that show how music significantly impacts academic performance. However, the great part about orchestra and music in general is how you grow on a personal level. The world around us would not be the same without music. Everywhere we go there is music. It brings people together and makes them have a connection whether they know each other or not. A life full of joy, friendships, experiences, and memories is what orchestra and music are all about.”
Juan Oropeza, CHS Music Teacher
300 Students Impacted
Commitment to Closing the Opportunity Gap
With the support from the Foundation, the music teachers at Central are able to create more opportunities for the students to perform and compete favorably with the state’s other highly rated programs. Every student who walks through the door has the opportunity to use high-quality instruments for practice and performance. They also benefit from the individualized instruction and critiques from an array of professionals which helps them improve their skills.
Translation to College and Career Readiness
The orchestra instructors and students strive to create a superior final performance without cutting any corners in preparation leading up to that time. This reinforces to the students that optimal results require a significant amount of work. Not only does this take a lot of focused energy and dedication, but it teaches students how to work with others. Students learn that when they are part of an orchestra, it isn’t about their own individual sound but how the group sounds as a whole. Being a team player is key in this environment. The hours of practice and rehearsal that go into preparing an entire concert also teach students how to efficiently manage their time while balancing their other responsibilities in school and at home.
“Through orchestra and other music classes at Central, I have had several opportunities to participate in honor orchestras and events. It is because of the generosity of the CHS Foundation that we have high-quality instruments and access to local musicians who help us prepare for competitions. I have made life-long connections through the orchestra program and have been able to participate in the music community in ways I never thought possible.”
Gracelyn Siford, Class of 2025