Music On The Hill Receives 2 Grants Totalling $5,200

Music on the Hill has received two grants - $2,300 from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, and $2,900 from the Aaron Roitman Fund for chamber music at the Rhode Island Foundation.

“Music on the Hill is so gratified to have received both awards, which are especially needed in this challenging funding climate,” said MOTH grant writer Dyan Vaughan. “Both grants have also offered us the opportunity to support Rhode Island native artists, the musicians who perform in the annual Chamber Music Festival.”

MOTH is in its 38th year, having originated in East Greenwich to present concerts in a community setting. For a number of years, MOTH presented a concert series over the span of several months at St. Luke’s Church on Peirce Street.

In recent years, , a time when many Rhode Island-born musicians travel home between the traditional concert schedules and special summer bookings. The festival presents concerts in a variety of settings.

The Aaron Roitman Fund grant is one of four awarded to enable local organizations to bring world-renowned chamber music performances to Rhode Island. A total of $14,900 was disbursed.

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts grant was one of 76 awards out of 238 applications.

“We're very appreciative to have been among the minority funded and hope that funding for the arts will continue and increase in the coming year,” said Vaughan. “That the arts are often seen as the expendable line item in a challenging budget is unfortunate, and we appreciate the commitment of RISCA to elevating artistic endeavors in Rhode Island."

Vaughan noted that the grant money not only will help continue the festival but will also help keep ticket prices low and to provide free admission to students.