Nonprofit fights to keep free music education
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In a time when many schools are scaling back or cutting music programs all together, one group is making sure kids have an outlet to learn chamber music and continue working on their craft.
The Chamber Music in Public Schools, or CHAMPS program, has lost as much as $8,000 in donations. Officials with the nonprofit are hoping to make up for the loss this week with some fundraising events.
Eve and Dylan Feldpausch have performed with CHAMPS for the past three years. They both say that fine-tuning their skills outside of their school orchestra program has given their talent an extra boost.
"There's only so much an orchestra program can do. Chamber music, it makes you learn your part really well and makes you focus on the other players like orchestra can't," Dylan said. "It's a program that improves you really quickly, gives you motivation and the performance opportunities are fantastic."
Every year, more students audition to be part of the CHAMPS program. Not only do they receive free week lessons from the pros, but they also get an opportunity to open for them at local performances.
"It's really nice to open for them, then hear them perform afterwards and be like, 'Wow, they're really cool,'" Eve said.
Ying Tang is CHAMPS board president. She said issues outside the program’s control caused the group to lose significant funding.
"The reason is not because we did anything wrong. It's because a couple of organizations simply stopped funding anybody," she said.
Right now, CHAMPS works with students at 12 area middle and high schools, and offers community outreach to others in poorer parts of town. The program is available in the Austin, Lake Travis, Eanes and Round Rock school districts.
For Eve and Dylan, CHAMPS has determined their futures.
"Really honestly I could say is the thing that made me want to become a professional musician," Eve said.
Two fundraising events to benefit CHAMPS kick off this week. A screening of “The Red Violin” will take place Monday at 7 p.m. at the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar Boulevard. Tickets cost $12.50.
Another fundraiser is Sunday night at the Ballet Austin headquarters. Click here for more information.