RICE UNIVERSITY MUSIC PROGRAM RECEIVES $5 MILLION FROM BROWN FOUNDATION

Rice University's Michael P. Hammond Preparatory Program at the Shepherd School of Music has received a $5 million grant from the Brown Foundation, Inc. The grant will be used to teach music performance and theory to Houston area students ages three to 18.

The preparatory program, which was founded seven years ago, recently has been renamed to honor Michael Hammond, a composer and visionary leader who took Rice's Shepherd School of Music to new levels of professionalism during his 16 years as dean. He died Jan. 29 in Washington, D.C., seven days after beginning his new position as chair of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Hammond designed and launched the preparatory program, which offers curricula and experiences for every age group.

The endowment will be used to support up to 10 Brown Scholars, graduate students who receive full tuition fellowships and stipends while they teach in the program. "This is a tremendous step forward for the Shepherd School preparatory program," said Virginia Nance, preparatory administrator. "This will allow us to plan for the future with confidence."

The program emphasizes training for young musicians in music theory and chamber music. More than 200 students are enrolled in the program's various classes that are designed to build and enhance their connection to music. Students can also receive individual instruction on many instruments and in voice.