The Brass of Peace Scholarship Program (BOP) is designed
for talented high
school brass players. This tuition free program under the auspices of
Eclipse
Chamber Orchestra, provides intensive training for musicians so that
they will
be better prepared to succeed in the very competitive field of music.
For a
period of 36 weeks during the school year, the Brass of Peace Scholars,
a group
of 13-15 gifted children, are given two-hour weekly coaching sessions
with
National Symphony Orchestra hornist and Eclipse Music Director, Sylvia
Alimena.
Scholarship members prepare and perform several demanding programs over
the
course of the year. Members are also given individual attention during
the
rehearsals and at the masterclass sessions. The Brass of Peace Scholars
share what
has been given to them by presenting “Kidshare Concerts” (free
in-school
concerts) at intervals throughout the school year for less privileged
children in
the District of Columbia. At these concerts, the teenage members of Brass
of
Peace also demonstrate and talk about their brass instruments. With help
from the
National Symphony Orchestra, who provides organizational help and transportation
to events, this season as many as 1000 school children will hear a free
concert in their school by Brass of Peace.