Special Educational Collaboration

May 4, 2007

Dear Friends of Chamber Music,

I wanted to take a moment to let you know about a unique program in which the Omaha Chamber Music Society has been involved this year. It is a reflection of our commitment to education and outreach in the Omaha community, and we are very excited to participate.

Last summer, Society board members Thomas Kluge and David Levin began talking with Dr. Pam Schiffbauer, the principal of St. Richard School, about a way to bring classical music to her students. St. Richard students are primarily minority children from North Omaha, and the vast majority of them receive scholarship assistance to allow them to attend. St. Richard has a strong culture of achievement and pride. However, most of its families do not have the means to expose their children to classical music.

Our initial discussions quickly focused on presenting the music of William_Grant_Still, one of America’s preeminent African-American composers. We felt that his music would be the perfect introduction for St. Richard’s students. This germ of an idea has grown into a very exciting collaboration.

On May 16, students from St. Richard School will present a one-act play about Still’s life. Rea Hooker, a professional playwright whose works have been produced in New York and elsewhere, wrote the script for the play, based on a biography by Judith Anne Still, the composer’s daughter. And a quartet from the Omaha Chamber Music Society will perform music composed by William Grant Still as part of the production. The performance will take place at the John_Beasley_Theater, and has received the encouragement and blessing of composer’s daughter.

We are proud to be a part of this important collaboration, and wanted to share the news with you, our supporters and friends. If you have any questions, or if you would like to know how you can help, please feel free to contact the Society at 402-561-0091.

Sincerely,

Ross Snyder
Executive Director

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