Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic Grants $70,000 to Support Music Programs in Coachella Valley Schools
Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic (PS Phil) is proud to announce that a significant part of their 50th Anniversary celebration in 2024 is a grant program that benefits music programs at local schools in the Coachella Valley. The Board of Directors has distributed $70,000 in grants, which is a $20,000 increase from the original $50,000 budget. This increase is mainly due to the exceptional number of grant applications that were received, and the tremendous need for music education funding.
The grants of up to $7,000 each provide a much-needed injection of funds to boost music programs in the Desert Sands, Palm Springs, and Coachella Valley School Districts as well as private schools.
“We gave priority to funding middle school programs as they expose students to music at an earlier age, and to the purchase of musical instruments as instruments will engage students year after year and have a lasting impact. Special thanks to Michael Flannigan, PS Phil’s Ticketing and Office Coordinator, who facilitated the program,” said Dean Kauffman, Board President and Youth Education Chair.
“I am extremely thankful that the Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic chose Cahuilla Desert Academy Middle School as one of the recipients of the $7,000 grant. I have taught 2 beginning band, 2 guitar classes, one drum line and one advanced band over the last ten years. The majority of the instruments are in need of being replaced. With this grant, I will purchase flutes, clarinets, alto sax, a few stands for the drum kits, along with a couple sets of crash cymbals. The kids will be proud to have quality new instruments,” said Gino Martini, Cahuilla Desert Academy Middle School Band Director.
The following schools received the grant funding for their music programs:
$7,000 Funding: Cahuilla Desert Academy, Desert Ridge Academy, Glenn Middle School, Raymond Cree Middle School and Toro Canyon Middle School.
$3,500 - $3,000 Funding: Cathedral City High School, Indio High School, James Workman Middle School, Rancho Mirage High School, Shadow Hills High School, West Shores High School, Xavier Prep High School and Palm Desert High School (band program).
$2,500 - $1,000 Funding: Cielo Vista Charter School, Desert Performing Arts Association, Palm Desert High School (choral program) and Palm Valley School.
“On behalf of Palm Valley School’s students and staff, I would like to express our deep appreciation for this generous grant to our music department, which is led by Ms. Edie Delegans. Your funds will be put to work immediately. The addition of keyboards with headphones for our student body will help us to achieve our objectives in developing an early appreciation for the creation of music,” commented Paul Lewin, Director of Development and Community Engagement, Palm Valley School.
“I am humbled, honored, grateful and delighted for this grant to support our very special project in collaboration with The Palm Springs Art Museum this spring. The fact that you considered us, along with the many other applicants is sincerely appreciated and we will make you proud of your generous gift to the students of Musical Theatre University (MTU) when we bring this exciting project to the community in March,” responded David Green, Founder and Director, MTU at Rancho Mirage High School.
