For Immediate Release
Press Contact: Hannah Grasso
hgrasso@choirschoolofdelaware.org (302) 543-8657 x4
CHOIR SCHOOL OF DELAWARE NAMED SEMI-FINALIST, LEWIS PRIZE FOR MUSIC
The Choir School of Delaware has been named a semi-finalist for the Lewis Prize for Music’s 2023 Accelerator Awards. This recognition is a powerful endorsement of the Choir School’s work to transform lives of youth in greater Wilmington, DE through music and mentoring.
The Choir School of Delaware, a “Community Center that Sings,” provides life-changing after-school and summer programs for Wilmington children ages 7-17. Programs combine professional-level choral training and performance opportunities with homework help, mentoring, and social services, creating an inspiring, intergenerational environment where young people realize their full potential.
The majority of Choir School students live at or below the poverty line. For the past ten years 100% of students have graduated high school, and all graduates leave with a plan to continue their education, launch a career, or begin military service. The Choir School of Delaware is available to all, regardless of income.
The mission of The Lewis Prize is to partner with leaders who create positive change by investing in young people through music. Its vision is for every young person, regardless of who they are or where they live, to have the opportunity to access music programs from a young age. The Lewis Prize organization believes this can only be achieved through equitable systems change. In keeping with the Lewis Prize’s mission, the Choir School combines positive youth development with choral music education in a setting that centers racial equity and youth voices.
The Lewis Prize is highly competitive. This cycle included 249 applicants from 47 U.S. states and territories. Ten finalists will move on for consideration for the 2023 Accelerator Awards of $500,000. Thirteen semi-finalists, including the Choir School, will receive grants of $15,000 to further their impactful work. The Choir School is honored to be recognized among these 23 exceptional arts organizations.
“Through The Lewis Prize for Music’s annual Accelerator Awards, it is my aim to bring together and invest in these outstanding leaders who can reach beyond their individual programs and work collaboratively toward meaningful and real change.”
– Daniel R. Lewis, Founder and Chairman, The Lewis Prize
“As a ‘community center that sings,’ the Choir School believes deeply in the power of music-centered youth development programs to create positive change for the entire community. We have long admired the Lewis Prize for uplifting all of us doing transformative work in this field. It is truly an honor to be recognized this year alongside so many exceptional peer organizations.”
- Tabé Masé, Chair, Choir School of Delaware Board of Directors
FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.thelewisprize.org/2023awards
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The Choir School of Delaware, a “Community Center that Sings,” provides life-changing after-school and summer programs for Wilmington children ages 7-17. Programs combine professional-level choral training and performance opportunities with homework help, mentoring, and social services, creating a safe, inspiring environment where young people realize their full potential.
The majority of Choir School students live at or below the poverty line. 100% of its students graduate from high school, and all graduate with a plan to continue their education, launch a career, or begin military service. The Choir School of Delaware is available to all, regardless of income.
An intergenerational choir, celebrating its 140th year in 2022-23, is the cornerstone of the Choir School’s after-school program and performs throughout the state
The Choir School of Delaware is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.
Artistic Samples
“Total Praise”
arr. Richard Smallwood
https://youtu.be/awC-cTC_24A
“It’s a Grand Night for Singing” from State Fair
Rodgers and Hammerstein, arr. Shaw
https://youtu.be/b2HeIb72xUw
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