High Desert Chamber Music receives $7,500 grant

High Desert Chamber Music has been awarded a grant from the Herbert Templeton Foundation for the third year in a row, in the amount of $7,500.

This private foundation provides grants to organizations in the areas of education, social concerns, performing arts, and humanities operating within the State of Oregon. This award will go toward general operating support: assisting with increased staffing, expanded concert series and unique Educational Outreach programs.

“Sizable gifts like this have a significant impact on our ability to expand and grow with our demand. Through foundation funding, we have been able to add a public master class to our annual offerings. This season, we will feature a class with Principal Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Martin Chalifour, in conjunction with his appearance in the HDCM Concert Series. This event will be presented in partnership with the American String Teachers Association of Oregon,” states Executive Director Isabelle Senger.

High Desert Chamber Music’s Educational Outreach efforts include providing students with direct contact to the guest artists through visits at local schools. In September, violinist Frank Almond visited Bend Senior High School, where a few hundred students from five different schools were treated to a presentation and Q&A session with Mr. Almond and his 1715 Stradivarius violin. We hope to expose more children and youth to the highest levels of music performance, cultivating an interest that can lead to a lifelong appreciation and enjoyment of the performing arts.

High Desert Chamber Music’s mission is to bring world class chamber music and musicians to Central Oregon. Now in its ninth season, HDCM has presented a broad range of chamber groups, ranging from string duos to piano quintets. As the premier and leading chamber music organization in the region, HDCM offers an exciting roster of professional performing artists. We are proud to be a local organization presenting a national level of excellence. Tickets and more information are available by phone or online through High Desert Chamber Music.

HDCM 2016-2017 title sponsors include Mission Building and Renovation, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Neil Kelly, German Master Tech, KQAK radio and KBNW Radio, and Pure Care Dental. Additional support provided by Hertz Car Sales of Bend, Tower Theatre Foundation, BendBroadband, and Creative Images of Life.