Project Proposal
With the support from the CHS Foundation, this grant ensures that any qualified vocal music student can participate in local, regional, and national honor choirs and related events regardless of their family’s ability to cover the costs associated with the event.
Amount Funded
$1,500
“These students worked incredibly hard all year to put together a complex program of eight pieces. Their performance was stunning, and many in the audience, who were mostly professional music educators, approached me afterward with high praise for their concert. However, I’m most proud of these students for how they engaged with one another during the trip. Every step of the way, the students were enjoying each other’s company, supporting one another, and including and appreciating each other.”
Sara Cowan – CHS Vocal Music Teacher, Class of 2004
Students Impacted
25 students
Commitment to Closing the Opportunity Gap
Performance opportunities like this at the Minnesota Music Educators Conference are incredibly valuable for students. They return with new skills and confidence; however, for many, these experiences are unattainable due to the cost. The Foundation has ensured that all students have access to these opportunities by subsidizing trip costs such as registration fees, transportation and lodging which can be substantial – especially when the event is not local.
Translation to College and Career Readiness
The high-level repertoire these students performed for an audience of music teachers and professors required hours of practice and preparation. There are also other things that make a trip like this valuable for students preparing to go to college. Some students had never been away from home or from their parents before or had never shared a hotel room with their peers. These experiences are invaluable for students getting ready to “fly the nest” and enter adulthood.
“The trip to Minnesota offered me a new view on how music can bring people together. Being surrounded by other musicians was not only inspiring, but also educational. From being in class perfecting our technique to working with amazing choirs and performing in preparation for the convention, this experience taught me that no matter where you are in the world music is everywhere.”
Emma Moran, Class of 2024