The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1994-03-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - CMTY GRANT SCV YOUTH ORCHESTRA (2)AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: March 22, 1994 to be presented by: SUBJECT: Community Services Grant Funding for SCV Youth Orchestra Foundation DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation and Community Services BACKGROUND The City of Santa Clarita has received a letter from the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra Foundation requesting a reconsideration of their Community Services grant application for the amount of $5,440. The funds are requested to fund operational expenses for the Santa Clarita Youth Orchestra which serves seventy (70) high school age youth. The Community Services Grant process established a selection committee to review grant requests. The committee will reconvene to consider the foundation's request and formulate a recommendation. Although the grant award cycle for FY93-94 was completed in January 1994, the committee received Council approval to set aside an emergency reserve for unforeseen requests once grant awards had been made. RECOMMENDATION City Council to receive status on this request and direct committee to return with recommendation. ATTACHMENT Letter from Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra Foundation council/scvyol.grt ri i' }/gyp Agern' Item : -j -j if Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra Foundation — A non-profit organization in cooperation with the Santa Clarita Community College District College of the Canyons 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road Santa Clarita, California 91355-1899 (805)259-7800 February 24, 1994 V Santa Clarita City Council R E City of Santa Clarita FES Z B ti�� 21444 Golden Triangle Road Santa Clarita, California 91355 c,FYcoo"n,`.;�rtn CRY 0- Dear Council Member, Our organization is experiencing a crisis and we are asking for your help. Our primary fund-raising event, The SCV Wine Classic, was to have been held at California Institute for the Arts, on June 18. As you know, CalArts was damaged in the earthquake, and the event may have to be cancelled. The loss of this event, which typically provides about half the total funds needed for a year's operation, is critical to the continuation of our community's Youth Orchestra. This year, as in previous years, our volunteer board has actively searched for other venues for this fund-raiser, without success. Therefore, we are asking for the City's help in one of two ways: - suggestions for a suitable venue in our Valley that will accomodate approximately 400 to 600 people, on Saturday evening, June 18, and/or reconsidering the grant application we submitted in December for $5,440. We understand that not all of the money assigned for community grants was awarded, so if there is further information we can provide that would result in our being considered for an award, please let us know. There is tremendous support in this community for athletic programs which channel the energy of our youth and help prevent future societal problems. However, music, art and other cultural activities also provide positive outlets for the creative energy of youngsters during the critical pre -teen and teenage years, and we must ensure that these types of programs continue to be offered. Our community is respected for the quality education it provides. The Youth Orchestra is another of those high quality programs that helps make Santa Clarita such a great place to live. The elementary schools do a great job of getting our kids off to an early start in music. The teachers and administration recognize the value of instrumental music education for its development of self-discipline, for improved test scores in all academic disciplines, and as an important outlet for children who have difficulty communicating in more prosaic ways. The junior high schools continue the work begun earlier, but unfortunately, there are no orchestral programs in our high schools. For teenagers who want to continue College of the Canyons Santa Clarita City Council February 24, 1994 Page Two playing classical music, the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra is the only option and the loss of it would significantly impact the music education and social life of these young people. We are currently serving about 70 youngsters, all of whom are serious about improving their instrumental skills. As a result they spend three hours every Saturday studying and playing the music of classical composers and many additional hours practicing during the week. We need your help and support to ensure we can continue this program. Please call either of us to arrange a meeting to discuss how we might best meet this crisis. 'During regular business hours, Sue Bozman may be reached at (805) 253- 3604 and Sally Angel at (818) 781-9922. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Susan Bozman President iy Sally Angel, Chair, Grants Committee CC: George Pederson, Mayor JoAnne Darcy, Mayor Pro -Tem Jan Heidt, Council Member Carl Boyer, Council Member Jill Klajic, Council Member George Caravalho, City Manager