In Tune with Music Education UMHB Conservatory of Music Receives $40,000 Grant UMHB recently received a generous grant that helps provide enriching music experiences to the children and youth of Central Texas. In September, the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation gave a $40,000 grant to continue program support for the UMHB Conservatory of Music. Past grants from the Carpenter Foundation have made it possible for many students to participate in the program through scholarships and strategic funding initiatives. “This grant allows us to provide music to children who might otherwise never have these enriching experiences,” explained Dr. Jonathan Gary, director of UMHB’s Conservatory of Music and department of music chairperson. “We are grateful to the Carpenter Foundation for its long-standing support of our public service programs.” UMHB provides preschool, elementary, and secondary students the opportunity to learn and grow from
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music through its conservatory of music. The success of these programs has led to the expansion of several programs this year, including opportunities for additional students. Thanks to this year’s funding, UMHB has begun a faith-based early childhood music program called “Teeny Tykes and Tunes” and will offer a middle school show choir this spring. Additionally, UMHB’s Conservatory of Music will continue to prepare middle and high school students to audition for various Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA) choirs, which would not be possible without the Carpenter Foundation grant. “TMEA and TCDA provide opportunities for students to excel in choral music in the form of honor choirs, both at a regional level and a state level. This opportunity provides students with a chance to experience challenging repertoire to work on
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their musicianship skills,” said Deborah Barrick, TMEA and TCDA audition coach. “When learning the music with me, the students learn how to become more musical and accurate with their singing. It builds confidence and work ethic in all of my students. I feel the experience students get while learning music for these auditioned choirs teaches them skills they will use in all aspects of life as they mature.” The Conservatory of Music program offers high-quality instruction for its students from the UMHB Department of Music faculty. From scholarships for musical instruction to free music lessons for children in local daycare centers, these programs are making music education available to children of all ages in Central Texas and providing opportunities that otherwise would not be available. To learn more, visit umhb.edu and search "Teeny Tykes."
