Eugene Symphony & Eugene/Springfield NAACP announce new NAACP Private Lesson Scholarship for BIPOC students

Posted on December 10, 2020

EUGENE, OR (Dec. 10, 2020)— Eugene Symphony and Eugene/Springfield NAACP are excited to announce the establishment of the NAACP Scholarship Opportunity, available to regional BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students, as part of Eugene Symphony’s new Private Lesson Program.

Eugene Symphony’s new Private Lesson Program is available to regional students who do not otherwise have the opportunity to take private lessons. The program will serve 34 talented young music students in the Eugene 4J, Springfield, and Bethel School Districts. Students are nominated by their school music teacher to receive the scholarship, which consists of eight (8) free private lessons with a professional Eugene Symphony musician, as well as a modest stipend for lesson materials. The new NAACP Scholarship Opportunity will provide this private lesson opportunity to ten (10) additional students, specifically BIPOC students, in our region.

Studies show individualized music education opportunities, like private lessons, can positively impact student confidence, self-esteem, and overall school performance.

“We are thrilled to launch this new program, and especially to partner with the NAACP, to provide increased access for more young people to experience the transformational power of music in their lives,” says Eugene Symphony Executive Director Scott Freck.

Eugene/Springfield NAACP Executive Director Eric Richardson adds, "We need to take every chance to give our youth encouragement and additional opportunities for growth during these difficult times.”

The Eugene Symphony Private Lesson Program was established this year during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way of continuing to serve young musicians in our region safely. All private lessons will take place virtually – a music lesson trend that has become common during times of social distancing.

After students have been nominated for this opportunity by their school music teachers, they will be selected through a process which involves input from both Eugene Symphony and Eugene/Springfield NAACP. The deadline to nominate students for this opportunity is Friday, December 18. Participating students will be notified at the beginning of 2021, and lessons will take place from January to April 2021.

The NAACP Scholarship Opportunity is generously funded by the Eugene/Springfield NAACP Branch #1119. The Eugene Symphony Private Lesson Program is made possible thanks to sponsorship support from PacificSource Health Plans, and grants from the Chambers Family Foundation and Woodard Family Foundation.

If you have questions about the program, contact Education & Community Engagement Director Katy Vizdal at katy.vizdal@eugenesymphony.org.