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Northern Illinois University

NIU Office of Public Affairs


News Release

Contact: Mark McGowan, NIU Office of Public Affairs
(815) 753-9472

February 26, 2004

NIU Community School of the Arts
plans sixth biannual Performathon

DeKalb — Northern Illinois University’s Music Building will overflow with the sounds and sights of youth all day Saturday, March 6, as the NIU Community School of the Arts presents its sixth biannual Performathon.

Featuring around 100 young students of music and art – 78 different individuals or groups are playing – the Performathon is the Community School’s largest fundraiser. Students collect pledges from family and friends who support their playing, singing or artwork. Local businesses also support the Performathon through advertising in the event’s program booklet and by donating prizes for the raffle.

Since 1993, more than $50,000 has been raised and more than 250 scholarships have been awarded to deserving students. The NIU Community School of the Arts offers year-round private lessons, Suzuki violin and piano lessons, group classes and ensembles in music, art and theatre for children and adults.

“I am so pleased at the response from our community of performers and artists to this year’s event. We’ll have continuous music in the Recital Hall all day on the sixth, and all of these wonderful performers have helped with the fundraising drive,” said Deborah Booth, director of the NIU Community School of the Arts. “The Performathon is an opportunity for our whole school to get together, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The scholarships are awarded for need and for talent.

Needs scholarships provide financial assistance to students 18 and younger who are interested in arts instruction, either private or group, but are unable to pay the full registration fee. Partial scholarships are allocated on the basis of need, demonstrated interest and available funds.

Talent scholarships provide assistance to those students who demonstrate a high level of commitment to and skill in their musical studies. Scholarships are awarded in the junior (ages 12 and younger) and senior (ages 13 to 18) divisions in three categories: strings, piano and wind/vocal/percussion.

Other events at the Performathon:

  • A gallery showing for art students, which also will display all submissions for the T-shirt contest. Every Performathon participant receives a T-shirt.
  • A music “swap” of donated, old sheet music, music books and records marked for resale.
  • A bake sale and raffle.

For more information, call (815) 753-1450.

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