Congressman Grimm, More Join Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble to Celebrate NEA Challenge America Grant

Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble, Inc. (MCCE) has been awarded its second prestigious National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America Grant. MCCE will celebrate this good fortune with Congressman Michael Grimm, Council Member Debi Rose and Deputy Borough President Ed Burke on Monday, April 16th at 10am at a formal announcement and press conference at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal (Staten Island side). Live performances will greet morning commuters from 9am to 11am with MCCE members Tamara Keshecki (flute), Clarice Jensen (cello) and Lucille Corwin (viola) performing music by Telemann, Vivaldi, Roussel and Andrew Rosciszewski, MCCE's 2011-12 composer-in-residence.

Audience members will have the opportunity to win tickets to upcoming concerts and MCCE will provide special surprises.

Rep. Michael G. Grimm (R-SI/Brooklyn) said, “I applaud the hard work and dedication of Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble and admire their innovative and original programming. MCCE consistently brings high caliber performances to the underserved community of Staten Island, as evidenced by winning their second National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America grant which is based on both artistic merit and excellence. MCCE is a vital and vibrant part of the arts on Staten Island and we are fortunate to have them.”

Council Member Debi Rose (49th District/Staten Island) remarked, “I want to congratulate Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble on its second National Endowment of the Arts Challenge America grant. The National Endowment of the Arts grants are given to organizations and individuals for their outstanding achievements and commitment to providing enriching arts for everyone, which the Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble is best known for throughout our Staten Island community. A countless number of lives have been enriched by MCCE’s Chamber Music for Staten Island Audiences Initiative and its work in and out of schools and the underserved region of Staten Island, including people with special needs. I am proud that Musical Chairs received NEA funding to help it continue the Chamber Music for Staten Island Audiences Initiative, especially in these difficult economic times, because the payoff is colossal for our children and the community at-large when they receive the gift of music.”

Borough President James P. Molinaro praised, “I am pleased to see a Staten Island Arts Group recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, and I applaud Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble for its work.”

MCCE is one of 162 grantees nationwide and is the only performing ensemble on Staten Island to win NEA awards. This grant supports MCCE’s Chamber Music for Staten Island Audiences Initiative bringing chamber music to the culturally underserved community of Staten Island by working with local and internationally renowned guest artists to program:

• 4 main stage concerts
• 8 free, companion concerts for developmentally disabled teens and adults via social service provider On Your Mark (OYM) and economically disadvantaged elementary school students at Public School 44 Thomas C. Brown Elementary (PS44)
• Two MCCE-commissioned premieres by composers Andrew Rosciszewki, MCCE 2011-12 composer-in-residence and Matthew McBane, MCCE 2012 Composer Search Winner
• A performance of the previously commissioned work “Even This is Paradise” by world-renown composer Andrew Sterman
• A performance of “Transient Tide” by Staten Island composer Enrico Arcaro (MCCE 2011 Composer Search Finalist)

The development of 6 free, public events to elicit artist-audience engagement and build audience participation in the arts

The Initiative strengthens MCCE’s partnerships with several other Staten Island cultural and community organizations including the Staten Island Museum, Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art and PS44, as well as forge a new partnership with OYM; and provide Staten Island audiences and artists with increased accessibility to the arts in this region.

For more information about the NEA visit www.arts.gov.