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The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain connects donors who care with causes that matter in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. If you'd like to make a difference in your community, please contact us for more information.

Community Foundation of Greater New Britain Awards $28,000 to Two Area Arts Organizations

(October 5, 2011) –The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB) recently awarded $133,116 in grants to nine local non-profit organizations. Among them were two arts related grants. The Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra was awarded $25,000 (from the William H. Judd, Jr., Francis P. Parker, Alix W. Stanley Charitable and A.W. Stanley Discretionary funds), and Main Street Singers was awarded $3,000 (from the Justus S. and Lillian F. Beach, Charles L. Munford, Jr., Memorial, Howland Rogers Family and Marjorie Wright Tomlinson Funds).

Established in 1997, the mission of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra (CVCO) is to preserve and perpetuate the traditions of chamber music through public performances and education. This $25,000 grant will support implementation of the first year of collaboration between the CVCO and the New Britain Symphony Orchestra (NBSO).

The Virtuosi has been in residence at Trinity-On-Main in downtown New Britain since 2004. It has built an annual concert and opera season consisting of four concerts and two fully staged operas. The CVOC has received grants from CFGNB over the last three years to help the orchestra successfully broaden its audience and increase revenue.

The New Britain Symphony (established in 1948) has a rich history, but has struggled over the past several years to maintain and expand its programming. With its future sustainability and viability in severe jeopardy, the leadership of the NBSO is seeking ways to survive.

This collaboration between the two orchestras in the upcoming 2011-12 season will begin to craft a strong, joint New Britain based concert season featuring symphonic concerts, chamber orchestra concerts and operas. The effort will be lead by the Virtuosi.

“Our history is also our future. We can’t and shouldn’t deny that. This grant allows our two organizations to create efficiencies that will strengthen both groups. But, even more, our collaboration will also benefit educational and economic factors in our community. The arts can do all that. We are keeping the music alive and much more.” says CVCO Executive and Artistic Director, Adrian Sylveen.

Started in 2003 and based at South Church in New Britain, the Main Street Singers (MSS) provides the opportunity for Greater New Britain children to sing in choirs. The program is designed to build community, strive for artistic excellence and foster a life-long love of music. The group has performed before thousands of people at multiple venues.

In January of this year, MSS launched a new Community Choirs Program which takes place on site at elementary schools in Plainville, New Britain and Farmington. The program broadens the reach of MSS by bringing the choirs to the kids. Being in the schools also provides an opportunity to collaborate with local elementary school music teachers. The program had 35 participants during its start up period.

The $3,000 grant will be employed to continue and, possibly expand, the program to include Berlin and Southington schools during the 2011-12 school year. “We’re thrilled this grant will help us extend our welcome to children and families for whom transportation or financial challenges prevent from being a part of the 'resident' program at 90 Main Street in New Britain. I wish everyone could see the delight on the children’s faces when they receive their bright yellow MSS tee shirts, and even better hear the result when the kids join their voices with our larger group. It is quite the experience for both the young and older singers!” shares Nancy Eaton, Administrative Director for Main Street Singers.

The Community Foundation’s grants committee strives to invest the funds it administers in programs and services that strongly impact the quality of life for citizens of Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington.

About The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain connects donors who care with causes that matter in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. It does this by raising resources and developing partnerships that make a measurable improvement in the quality of life in each of these communities.

For more information on CFGNB grants contact:
Joeline Wruck, Director of Program, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, 860.229.6018 x 307, jwruck@cfgnb.org

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Mary Engvall, Andrea Obston Marketing Communications
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860.205.3519

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