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SVIATOSLAV RICHTER FUND FOR MUSIC OUTREACH

Creative Outreach Projects


Exploring creative ways for sharing classical music with new audiences has become an increasingly important skill for young musicians to develop. The Sviatoslav Richter Fund for Music Outreach was created by a Rice alumna, who believes wholeheartedly in the work that pianist Sviatoslav Richter did to bring music to people in creative and inspiring, nontraditional ways. Shepherd School students annually have the opportunity to continue the legacy of Richter by developing new ideas for bringing music to the community.

Funding is available to students supporting their creative outreach projects in the greater Houston community. If you are a current Shepherd School student and would like to apply for the 2009-2010 funding cycle please visit the online application.

Please note the following important dates for making application for funding


Monday, October 5, 2009
Janet Rarick will host a lunch-time information session to address any questions about the outreach fund and application process.
12:00 - 1:00 p.m., Room 1401

Monday, November 2, 2009, 5:00 p.m.
Applications are due and should be submitted to the online application.

Students will be notified of grant awards by the end of November 2009. Should you have any questions about the application process, please contact Janet Rarick.

Because of his powerful belief in the value and the mission of music, and his lifelong commitment to sharing his prodigious gift outside of the formal concert structures of his time, Sviatoslav Richter is gratefully remembered by many as a model of generosity and dedication to his art as well as an inspired pianist.  The Sviatoslav Richter Fund for Music Outreach is named in his honor.

The purpose of The Fund is to provide financial support to students in The Shepherd School of Music to take musical performances or presentations out to new audiences and especially underserved communities.  This fund is dedicated to encouraging and supporting creative outreach performances that are designed and produced by current students at The Shepherd School of Music.

What will the fund pay for?

The fund will support production costs for outreach projects such as:

  • Purchase or rental of music

  • Piano tuning for performances

  • Project flyers

  • Money to cover local transportation costs to and from the concert venue

  • Equipment rental

  • Video and audio recording as is appropriate

  • Meal per diems, when applicable

IMPORTANT NOTE: Since the Sviatoslav Richter Fund is designed to promote the spirit of volunteerism, this fund will not support, in any way, the payment of musicians’ fees.

How do I apply for funding?

Use the following link to access the online application

All applications must be submitted online no later Monday, November 2, 2009 at 5 p.m.  All projects are to be scheduled in the second semester and must be completed by the end of the term. 

If I receive an outreach grant, how do I receive the funds?

  • After all of the applications are reviewed by a faculty panel, you will be notified if you have received a grant by late November 2009.

  • You will receive a combination of advance purchase orders and reimbursements from the Dean’s office to cover the costs associated with your project.  It will be necessary for you to save and submit all receipts related to the project, especially for production expenses.

  • You will also be required to write a short report (one-page maximum), detailing the outcome and benefits of your project. 

Are there any other guidelines for the outreach fund?

  • We ask that you post several concert flyers and announcements of your project at the Shepherd School, so that our school community will be aware of the service that you are providing to others.

  • We encourage projects that will involve two or more students from the Shepherd School, although solo projects will still be considered.

These are the application questions you will be asked to answer online.  Since you are 
not able to save an online application in progress, we suggest that you maintain a Word 
version of your completed application, for your reference.  Here are three funded proposals from previous years.

The Sviatoslav Richter Fund for Music Outreach Grant Application

Name, Address, Phone, E-mail

1. Please write a brief summary of your project and indicate what you hope to accomplish through it.

2. What is the proposed instrumentation, and personnel involved in the project? REMINDER: All participants must be current Shepherd School students.

3. Please provide a project timeline and anticipated date of completion (all projects must be completed by the last day of the term).

4. Will you require any special equipment to accomplish this project?  If so, please explain how you intend to use the equipment.

5. List the name, address, and contact information of the organization sponsor (phone number and e-mail address) for the venue(s) where you intend to present your project.

6. Who is your Shepherd School faculty sponsor for this project?

7. Include a detailed budget for your outreach project expenses -- i.e. local transportation costs, materials, special equipment, meal per diems (when appropriate), and any additional materials.