More Than $82 Million Awarded for Arts Projects Nationwide
Includes $13,000 awarded to Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir
Oakland, CA — National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $82 million to fund local arts projects across the country in the NEA’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017. Included in this announcement is an Art Works award of $13,000 to the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir in support of the 2018 Golden Gate Festival. The NEA received 1,728 Art Works applications and will make 1,029 grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.
“The arts reflect the vision, energy, and talent of America’s artists and arts organizations,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support organizations such as the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir in serving their communities by providing excellent and accessible arts experiences.”
Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir (PEBCC) Founding Artistic Director Bob Geary was delighted by the announcement and said “It’s a tremendous honor to receive our first grant from the NEA in support of our July 2018 Golden Gate Festival. The Golden Gate Festival, established in 1991, remains the only opportunity for children and youth choirs to meet and compete on an international field in the United States. We are also very thankful to Bell Investment Advisors who has pledged $10,000 for the Festival.
The grants allow us to continue to push the frontiers of choral music; we have commissioned new pieces for the festival from composers Stacy Garrop, Jacqueline Hairston and Mark Winges.”
Long-term PEBCC Corporate Sponsor Jim Bell, president and founder of Bell Investment Advisors added, “Bonnie 
and I have long appreciated how PEBCC fosters the individual development of its students, and prepares them for life in a global context. We are excited to help open up the world for 500 children from top choirs around the globe to join together in song.”
Founding Artistic Director Robert Geary has established the choir as a leading force in international choral activities with a particular strength in new music. Under his guidance, PEBCC’s flagship choir, Ensemble, has won top awards at prestigious international competitions throughout the world. These honors are a product of our exceptional, progressive after school instruction in choral singing that attracts children from across the East Bay from 4 to 18 years old. Auditions for PEBCC’s 2017-18 Season will be held Saturday, August 26 or by appointment. Additionally, PEBCC has an award-winning residential summer camp. PEBCC is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and was established in 1982. To learn more about our programs or to schedule an audition please consult our website. www.piedmontchoirs.org.
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3629 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610 | 510.547.4441| piedmontchoirs.org
