Music Academy of the West Receives $20,000 NEA Grant

The Music Academy of the West will receive a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to help fund an innovative four-year partnership with the celebrated New York Philharmonic. The grant, the fifth the Music Academy has received from the NEA in as many years, re-affirms the institution's stature as a premier classical music training facility, according to Academy President Scott Reed.

"In addition to providing much-needed funding, this grant further validates our programmatic mission and vision," said Mr. Reed. "This historic collaboration with the New York Philharmonic is transformative for the Music Academy, our Fellows, and the Santa Barbara community. We are enormously proud to be working so closely with this iconic musical institution."

Under the Music Academy's partnership with the New York Philharmonic, which was announced last March, selected Academy Fellows will enjoy unique opportunities to train intensively with Philharmonic musicians and Music Director Alan Gilbert in Santa Barbara and New York. Mr. Gilbert and Philharmonic musicians inaugurated the collaboration during the Music Academy's 2014 Summer Festival, and will have a similar presence for training and performances during the next three festivals, culminating in a joint concert with the Philharmonic and the Academy Festival Orchestra celebrating the Music Academy's 70th anniversary in 2017. The agreement also calls for the New York Philharmonic to make its Santa Barbara Bowl debut in August 2015.

Over the course of the partnership, as many as five New York Philharmonic musicians will serve as guest faculty for one week each summer in Santa Barbara to train Music Academy Fellows in collaboration with Academy faculty, including masterclasses, chamber music coaching sessions, private lessons, and lectures. Additionally, up to 10 Music Academy Fellows, selected by audition during the summer, will travel to New York City for 10-day apprenticeships and musical immersion with the Philharmonic each winter through 2018. The inaugural class of selected Fellows, known as Zarin Mehta Fellows, will arrive in New York to train and perform with the Philharmonic on January 3.

Additional information on the program and participating musicians is available at the links below:

http://www.musicacademy.org/new-york-philharmonic-global-academy

http://nyphil.org/education/global-academy/music-academy-of-the-west

One of five Santa Barbara-area groups to receive NEA support during the current grant-making cycle, the Music Academy is among 1,116 nonprofit organizations to receive funding as part of the endowment's first round of fiscal year 2015 grants. During this phase the NEA will distribute $29.1 million nationwide in support of projects spanning 13 artistic disciplines and fields.

An independent federal agency, the NEA advances artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. "Since coming to the NEA, I have met with many NEA grantees and have seen first-hand the positive impact they have on their communities," said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. "These new projects will continue to demonstrate the power the arts have to deepen value, build connections, and foster an atmosphere of creativity and innovation both at the community level and with individuals throughout the nation."

The Music Academy of the West's 68th anniversary Summer School and Festival will take place June 15 to August 8. Highlights will include a new production of Gioachino Rossini's timeless comic opera Cinderella. Featuring the Academy's exceptionally talented Fellows, together with illustrious guest performers and faculty, the events will be presented at the Academy's scenic Miraflores campus and in venues throughout Santa Barbara.

Founded in 1947, the Music Academy of the West is among the nation's preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians. The Academy provides these promising musicians with the opportunity for advanced study and frequent performance under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty artists, guest conductors, and soloists. Admission to the Academy is strictly merit based, and Fellows receive full scholarships (tuition, room, and board). Academy alumni are members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, and university and conservatory faculties throughout the world. Many enjoy careers as prominent solo artists. Based in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West presents more than 200 public events annually, including performances by faculty, visiting artists, and Fellows; masterclasses; orchestra and chamber music concerts; and fully staged opera. The Music Academy began broadcasting live, high-definition simulcasts by the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera at Hahn Hall in October 2008. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.