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Music is the language of the heart, and as such, it is the universal language of mankind. It reaches across international boundaries and touches people of all races and all economic levels. Its touch not only brings mankind together, it raises the mind and soul of both the performer and listener. Studying music, and learning to play an instrument, widens a child’s horizons, instills him or her with self-confidence, and teaches the child to focus and learn in other areas, enhancing and improving his education.
Since 1996, IFEPA has been bringing performance artists to Los Angeles from around the country and around the world to foster appreciation of the arts, and to teach, inspire, and encourage talented young musicians in this city. It has provided both instruments and music instruction to children in the Los Angeles school districts, and paired internationally known artists with children as mentors.
The Los Angeles Performing Arts Competition and Festival will bring the IFEPA’s efforts to foster the arts and to teach children to a much wider audience. IFEPA, in conjunction with the Consulate Generals of various nations, plans to host talented young performers from this city, and from around the world, in a venue large enough to accommodate the general public as well as many of the underprivileged but talented children it is the IFEPA’s mission to help. These young artists will perform onstage in both Classical and Contemporary competitions in instrumental, vocal and dance divisions. A Grand Prize will be awarded to the best performer in all divisions. The festival will bring together young artists from around the world, and the prizes will encourage the children in their studies and their careers.
The IFEPA needs the help of a Corporate Sponsor to make this vision a reality. Your help will bring the gift of music and the gift of international understanding through music to the children of Los Angeles, giving them an opportunity they would not otherwise have, both to perform and to see talented youngsters from around the world perform, on stage. Your generosity will be gratefully acknowledged on all promotional material and in the program booklet, and your participation in the opening ceremonies will be welcomed. In addition, a Grand Prize will be awarded in your company’s name to help a talented young artist continue his or her career.
THE FESTIVAL:
The festival will feature at least two stages, one for contemporary music and dance, one for classical instrument, voice and dance. Performers will compete for prizes on piano, string, brass and woodwinds, and in dance and voice at three different skill levels: beginning (less than three years experience), intermediate (4-6 years experience) and advanced (7 or more years of experience). The performers will be judged by a panel of three judges, all of whom will be renowned performers, and experts in their fields.
IFEPA expects public attendance to reach 10,000 during this week-long event. It is currently exploring several venues large enough to accommodate several performing stages, seating and parking for several thousand people, food services and an area for vendors. IFEPA will ensure that the venue will have ample ability to host the event, and to display corporate sponsor logos. |
NEED:
Studies have shown that young musicians outperform their peers on Scholastic Aptitude Tests and live healthier lives. Children who are in school or at home practicing on an instruments or performing with a band or musical group are less likely to be involved in gangs, have more self-confidence, and are more likely to continue their schooling.
However, in California alone, student participation in music education has declined by 50 percent in the last five years. Funding cuts have forced local school districts to cut music instruction and teachers, resulting in a loss of 30 percent of the state’s music teachers. In 1996, alarmed at the cuts in federal, state and local funds for performing arts and music education, a group of friends in the music industry organized IFEPA to revive and restore that vital education through private donations of instruments and instruction to needy children.
During the past eleven years IFEPA has donated instruments to schools and students, instituted classes at four different skill levels, from beginning to master classes, and supplied mentors to those students with demonstrated abilities in the performing arts. However, IFEPA needs to expand its reach and to raise its profile if it is to truly offset the decline of instruction and encouragement in the schools.
The Festival and Competition is a unique event; the only one in Los Angeles which focuses on talented young children, and which brings together talent from around the world. It will introduce IFEPA to the public, spreading its message of support for talented youngsters in Los Angeles and around the country. The increase in IFEPA’s visibility will result in an increase in its donation base, helping it increase funding for lessons and instruments for needy students.
The competition will demonstrate to the children IFEPA serves what they can accomplish, and encourage them to continue with their music education. The festival will open their minds to music they may not have heard, fostering awareness of classical and contemporary music. It will also bring the existence of talented youngsters, and the need to support them, to the awareness of the general public. The performers and consumers of music in the future are waiting to be molded today. We cannot let our talented youngsters slip through the cracks of government funding cuts. |
OBJECTIVES:
IFEPA currently receives private and business donations of $50,000-$75,000 annually. It expects to raise between $100,000 - $150,000 through ticket sales from this event, more than double its current annual donations. This money will be used to supply 30 pianos to Los Angeles schools in under-funded areas that currently do not have one. In addition, IFEPA will have a booth at the event which will include brochures and information to raise public awareness of IFEPA and to increase its donations to fund lessons and instruments to children. IFEPA expects the number of children helped through its site to increase substantially.
IFEPA expects attendance by 10,000 people at this event, based on the type of event and the cost of the tickets. The event itself is unique in featuring young musicians from this city and from around the world, and has the broad appeal of featuring both classical and contemporary music, and different forms of expression through instruments, voice and dance. The Disney Center seats 1800 a night for performances; IFEPA expects a much larger crowd because its program is designed to appeal to families with children, and its tickets will be priced at a fraction of the cost of Disney concert hall tickets. IFEPA intends to price its tickets moderately, at $5 -$10 dollars, to encourage attendance by families.
Because of the size of the event and the publicity leading up to it, and the fact that it showcases local talent, IFEPA expects a “spillover” effect in attracting additional local corporate supporters for IFEPA’s other music programs for children.
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