News

Xavier Music Department Receives Additional $60,000 from Anonymous Donor

Grant will fund partial scholarships in music education

02/14/08

An initiative launched in 2006 with funding from an anonymous donor is strengthening Xavier University’s music education program by adding faculty expertise to the department and involving students in outreach to local and regional schools. Xavier has received additional support from this donor to provide partial scholarships to attract more outstanding students to music education and involve them in leadership roles in performance and outreach. Scholarships will go to new first-year music education students in 2008. This pipeline will continue the momentum of the music education initiative by bringing additional outstanding students to the program.

 

In the tri-state area, there is significant need for qualified music educators and for supplemental instruction where music programs have been eliminated or reduced. Xavier’s initiative addresses these needs by attracting outstanding students to music education and preparing them to work with diverse groups of children and to advocate for music instruction.

 

While many colleges and universities offer majors in music education, few enhance that preparation with instruction in fiscal management or community building. Furthermore, few participate extensively in directed outreach efforts to children.

 

“These new scholarships meet a critical need in education - the guaranteed financial support that insures the continued development of highly effective teachers and leaders in music education throughout our community,” says Kaleel Skeirik, Ph.D., professor and acting chair of Xavier’s Department of Music.   “Xavier will directly address this need by awarding music education scholarships to students who will direct local music education outreach projects while earning degrees to enter the field.”