Funding is available to current Shepherd School students supporting their creative outreach projects in the greater Houston community. Proposals are submitted in the fall and projects are activated during the spring semester. 2023-2024 proposals should be submitted in fall 2023, and selections will be made by late November 2023.
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.
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.