$75,000 GRANT FROM SPIRIT MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY FUND
SUPPORTS OREGON SYMPHONY YOUTH CONCERTS
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Portland, Ore. … The Spirit Mountain Community Fund has awarded a $75,000 grant to the Oregon Symphony in support of its education programs, including the upcoming Youth Concerts for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders on Nov. 19 and Dec. 4 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. The grant also supports Oregon Symphony education activities on tour and in the neighborhoods. Honoring Tribal traditions of sharing and giving back, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde established Spirit Mountain Community Fund to share profits from Spirit Mountain Casino with the citizens of 11 Northwest Oregon counties.

The Youth Concert, titled "The Music Team!" will explore the orchestra as a team effort by highlighting the team players (composer, conductor, orchestra and audience) and demonstrating how making symphonic music is a partnership of the four components. The concert will include the music of Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Elgar, Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Mussorgsky and Gliere conducted by Resident Conductor Murry Sidlin Monday, Nov. 19, and Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Curricular connections include visual and performing arts, English, social sciences, career-related learning and technology.

Youth Concerts are age-specific and support common curricular goals of the Oregon Content Standards in multiple subject areas. "We have worked with area teachers, administrators and parents to develop age-specific concerts that provide students with quality experiences in the arts and that are relevant to their current learning skills and knowledge," said Director of Education and Community Programs Michael Kosmala.

Since its creation in 1997, the Spirit Mountain Community Fund has given over $10 million to organizations in Western Oregon, with over $5 million going to education programs. The grants are aimed at improving public safety, education, healthcare and emergency services and have focused on preserving and enhancing Oregon's cultural heritage and its physical environment.