Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra Receives $10,000 NEA Grant
The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra (Laredo Phil) has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support concert performances and outreach activities.
In notifying the Laredo Phil, agency chairman Jane Chu said the NEA is proud to support programs like the Laredo Phil.
“The National Endowment for the Arts, through its Arts Engagement in American Communities Program, is proud to support the excellence and diversity of arts programs across the country, including organizations like the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, that make the arts accessible to people in Laredo and further enhances the vitality of their community,” Chu wrote in her notification letter.
Laredo Phil maestro, music conductor and Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) faculty member Brendan Townsend said the competitive Award is especially welcome as it will be combined with matching funds, and extend the Laredo Phil’s programming and reach.
“Like all non-profit organizations in the arts, funding our performance and outreach activities is always a challenge. This past year has been especially worrisome. We are excited about the opportunities this NEA Grant provides, especially when combined with matching gifts and support generously provided by our Laredo Phil subscribers and community at large. We hope that it will also encourage others to provide additional matching support and extend our outreach, ” Townsend said.
The Laredo Phil just recently completed its 38th season of performances.
The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra was created in 1980 by a group of community leaders passionate about music, wanting to improve the quality of life for the community, and encourage business location and tourism to Laredo.
Throughout its 38 years of existence, the LPO has performed concerts, provided educational opportunities for young musicians, improved the quality of life, and provided Laredo with robust promotional and cultural opportunities for citizens and visitors.
LPO’s professional musicians are primarily drawn from Laredo and include music educators from Laredo and United Independent School Districts, TAMIU, Laredo Community College and independent musicians. A local shortage of string players sees these players visit from Austin, Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio and the Valley.
For additional information on the LPO, visit www.laredophil.com or email laredophilharmonic@gmail.com. The Laredo Phil’s 39th performance season will begin in October 2018.
The NEA is the federal agency that supports and funds the arts to give all Americans the opportunity to experience creativity and participate in the arts. NEA programs and funding support thousands of activities in communities large and small across the country.
To learn more about the National Endowment for the Arts, visit arts.gov.