Palm Desert, Calif., (June 22, 2012) – The Coachella Valley Symphony received a $25,000 grant to continue the expansion of its music education programs. The symphony is the most recent Coachella Valley Spotlight honoree presented by the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and CBS Local 2.
“This gift from the Berger Foundation will go a long way to promote the music development of our students,” said Wayne Abravanel, Coachella Valley Symphony music director and conductor. “Much of the funds will be used for private instruction scholarships through the Beginning Strings Conservatory. We find that individual lessons advance students’ talents more rapidly, preparing them for the next level of performance.”
The organization aims to expose the educational and therapeutic values of music by supporting student musicians, adult performers, teachers and concert patrons through the trio of the Beginning Strings Conservatory, the Buddy Rogers Youth Symphony, and the Coachella Valley Symphony. Since 1993, approximately 850 young musicians, ages 8-18, and 1400 adults have benefited from the organization’s efforts. The symphony reaches students from the High Desert to Idyllwild and throughout the entire Coachella Valley. Six main concert events are held each season including a subscription series of four concerts and two benefit events.
“The Coachella Valley Symphony has enhanced our community for decades,” said Catharine Reed, Senior Program Officer for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. “We are happy to support music education for those young people who want to pursue dreams of performing.”
As part of the Coachella Valley Spotlight, CBS Local 2 featured the Coachella Valley Symphony on its “Eye on the Desert” community program, in public service announcements, and on the www.cbslocal2.com website in the month of June to raise community awareness of the organization and its programs.
“The Coachella Valley Symphony is a gem in our community,” said Mike Stutz, General Manager of Gulf California Broadcast Company, which owns and operates CBS Local 2. “It has been our pleasure to feature this noteworthy organization.”
