Posted by Pan Times on January 8, 2010 at 1:05pm in News
South Florida Times
Miami, Florida - Steel pan music, renown for taking center stage during carnivals and other Caribbean music festivities, will get an extra boost of attention at Florida Memorial University, South Florida’s only historically black institution of higher learning.
The Knight Foundation recently awarded $80,000 to the school’s Steel Band program. The money will fund scholarships for students who are pursuing a music degree with a specialty in steel band playing.
The United Negro College Fund applied for the grant on the school’s behalf. UNCF is the nation’s oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization. Its mission is to increase minority degree attainment by reducing financial barriers to college.
At least 15 to 20 FMU students will receive scholarships. The money will also be used to fund trips nationally and internationally so the band can participate in major festivals and music competitions, said Dawn Batson, chair of the school’s Performing & Visual Arts Program.
“This grant will allow us to continue to explore the cultures of the world and give our students the ability to make use of their talents,’’ said Batson, who initiated the Steel Band program ten years ago and also serves as the band’s director.
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