Gifts and grants in the amount of $315,000 have been awarded by the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts’ (PSHA) Gifts and Grants program to 56 schools and non-profit organizations throughout the San Gabriel Valley and greater Los Angeles area. These grants help support music education and music enrichment in schools, youth orchestras and choruses, and music therapy programs, as well as underwriting concerts by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and other local cultural institutions. 

“It is so rewarding see that the money raised by PSHA is put to such good use supporting the many worthwhile organizations who bring music enrichment to our community,” said Gifts and Grants Chair Christine Upton.

The group of about 80 individuals representing these organizations gathered at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music as Upton, along with Vikki Sung, benefit chair for the 2018 Pasadena Showcase House of Design, presented each recipient with a certificate and a check for their projects. The individuals spoke about how the funding would benefit their organizations. 

Michelle Cox, Development director for Villa Esperanza, an organization that serves intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals, said they would use the grant for their music therapy program. 

“Music therapy helps our children communicate, focus their attention in the classroom and build their motor/movement skills,” she said. “We are honored to be a part of this group and grateful for PSHA’s generosity.”

President Dana Marevich congratulated the recipients for bringing music programs directly to the community.

PSHA supports the Gifts and Grants program as well as three additional music programs: the Music Mobile, the Youth Concert and the Instrumental Competition through funding from the Pasadena Showcase House of Design, the organization’s annual fundraiser. Over the past 54 years PSHA has donated more than $23 million to further music enrichment programs throughout Southern California. For a complete list of recipients, visit https://www.pasadenashowcase.org/.

This year’s Showcase House will be held at the historic Boddy House at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada. It opened on April 21st and runs through May 19. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (714) 442-3872 or visiting the website www.pasadenashowcase.org.