Beginnings: In its first year, BCPAI awarded six music scholarships and it subsidized the Bucks County Choir. On September 29, 2001, we conducted a choral workshop at Neshaminy High School followed by a concert at Oxford Valley Mall with American conductor/composer Moses Hogan of New Orleans followed in December by Holiday concerts and a spring scholarship concert.

Performances: Since that time the Bucks County Choir has continue to excel at performing a variety of music from ‘Pops’ to Classical masterpieces. They have collaborated with other choral groups and orchestras to perform such wonderful music as Handel’s “Messiah”, the Mozart Requiem, the Bach B Minor Mass, Vivaldi’s , Gloria and more.

New Scholarships In 2003 we started the Hollenbach Hellyer Endowment Fund to help fund voice scholarships. At the 2008 Scholarship concert we awarded seven scholarships – one of which was the $1000 college award to a graduating senior entering a performing arts program.

Endowments: The Hollenbach-Hellyer Endowment is small, but growing. Opportunities to contribute are always available. Additionally, individuals wishing to establish a scholarship for a special area of study or to commemorate a loved one should contact the board.

Community Programs:  Our community programs started with the Bucks County Choir, a blend of teens and adults whose performances contribute to the BCPAI scholarship fund. The second development was the Bucks County Children’s Chorus for the younger singers (8-13) which is also an after-school program. This is a fee-base activity and we encourage donations to off-set the costs of subsidizing children who need financial assistance.

In 2007 we were able to expand our community outreach by providing early childhood music instruction for the Bucks Meadow Pre-School run by the YWCA of Bucks County. This was followed by providing music classes for the children in their several summer campsites throughout Bucks County. These programs continue today. We are always seeking new individuals and/or corporations who are interested in supporting these programs.

New Goals:
Our goal each year is to increase the number and dollar amount of scholarships, further develop the program for the Bucks County Choir who will be performing in several civic events this Fall and will produce “King Henry’s Holiday Feast” in December. (See website updates soon for locations and dates.)

We hope to subsidize the growth of The Bucks County Children’s Chorus as a safe after-school enrichment program and obtain funding to provide more opportunities for ' children-at-risk ' to attend early childhood music classes – either at the YWCA pre-school or other community centers.

There is a need for more after-school enrichment programs for children in our region. Our goal is to obtain funding to provide more of this.
(For the benefits of music and drama programs in a child’s development see www.hpacinc.com - publications and www.ecmma.org.)

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Share yoour ideas with us. Volunteer to help at an event. Tell Family, friends and co-workers about our goals and encourage donations. (Tax exempt in accordance with IRS tax regulations.) Have your employer sponsor a program and gain prestige and public
recognition as 'community-minded' business.