Historical September 1982 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In response to a $700,000 challenge grant, the board of directors of the Saint Louis Conservatory and Schools for the Arts (CASA), 560 Trinity, University City, voted June 16 to end merger talks with Webster College.
The anonymous gift from two donors is contingent on a match of $300,000 by Dec. 31. Ben H. Wells has been named chairman of the special funds drive with George J. Bude, attorney of the firm Ziercher, Hocker, Human, Michenfelder, Nations, and Jones, as co-chairman. CASA goes into the drive with $150,000 pledged by the board and a commitment for a five-year financial plan to begin soon.
The CASA Auxiliary is planning several special projects to help reach the $300,000 goal.
The $218,525 Mae M. Whitaker Competition in Strings, Piano and Voice will further enhance CASA’s reputation and enrich St. Louis’ musical life by bringing many of the most promising young artists from all parts of the world here to perform and compete for professional recognition and significant cash prizes.
In eight years since its formation, CASA has grown remarkably. Enrollment in the Schools for the Arts has ballooned from 500 to 2,000.
The Conservatory, officially accredited, has about 120 students who study for bachelor and master degrees in music performance.
The concert program includes the Great Artist Series, which brings to St. Louis the world’s outstanding performers, and chamber music, faculty recitals, and student ensembles. More than 20,000 St. Louisans attended these concerts last year. CASA is a private, independent institution devoted to education in music and the arts.
It consists of the Saint Louis Conservatory of Music, located at 560 Trinity Ave. at Delmar, and five schools for the Arts located in midtown St. Louis, University City, Webster Groves, West County at Maryville College, and in south St. Louis.
The Schools for the Arts offer instruction in music, theater, visual arts, ceramics and dance to all ages, preschool through senior citizen.
Originally published in The Neighborhood Paper, September 1982.
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Original source: SD_Times1982_09.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
