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| ORGANIZATION PROFILE AND PROGRAM |
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ORGANIZATION PROFILE
Established in l974 at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Tourgee DeBose National Piano Competition has developed into an annual Competition-Festival presented by the DeBose National Piano Competition Foundation, Incorporated and the Southern University Department of Visual and Performing Arts. This annual commemoration is named for Professor Tourgee DeBose, former Chairman of the Southern University Division of Music and Piano Department. For more than thirty years of service he was an innovative pioneer who motivated scores of music students; an influence that exemplified intense discipline and scholarship towards excellence in Music.
As a specialist in music literature analysis and master of piano performance technique, his career as a teacher rivaled his success as a concert pianist of the highest caliber. Artist diplomas, awards and recital/concert programs and reviews, kept in the Foundation Archives, attest to the breadth and scope of Professor DeBose’s capacity and accomplishments. Uniquely, DeBose lived-in-and-of-a-time that prevented appropriate recognition deserved for his historic contributions and pianistic achievements. This event is a commemoration to his life and legacy to youth and music.
Currently directed by its Founder, who has guided the growth of this program, the strength and longevity of the Competition is the result of university sanction and support, community involvement, and local, state and regional funding from the private and public sector(s). General community support has been secured through individual interest, support and volunteerism, and financial contributions from social, civic, cultural and educational organizations. Each year the competition staff of volunteers works to develop new audiences and expand community outreach. University units, community organizations and parent support groups have contributed time and effort to encourage attendance and/or participation of youth whose primary environment may not provide cultural enrichment venues.
LEGACY & OUTREACH
The DeBose Foundation, by its mission and its annual commemoration to the legacy of Professor Tourgee DeBose, has been elevated from its origins as a departmental project, to city-parish-state, and now national scope. His name and reputation represent a tradition of African-American pianists, whose performances, achievements and advocacy serves as a foundation of professional artists today. Since his death in l971, the DeBose Foundation and members of the Southern University Department of Visual and Performing Arts (formerly Music Division) have always found a link-of-recognition; many of whom were and are his colleagues and students for more than thirty (30) years. During his tenure at Southern University, added to the several years of professional service at other institutions, DeBose exemplified the highest standards of musicianship, which he inculcated into all with whom he had contact.
In order to expand the program to include new and under-served audiences, plans are constantly made for greater inclusions in programming; to encourage sponsorship of events, contestants and performance ensembles incorporating partnerships with provide periodic representations of all aspects of the music profession. The goal of providing musical experiences of unparalleled quality makes this program unique. The responsibilities of management, creation and development/evaluation are challenges for the continuance of this annual event, now celebrating more than thirty years of service. Sacrifices of the past are the foundation for continuance and future growth. Members of the Greater Baton Rouge community, through families, business and industrial corporations have made annual commitment of financial support. As an exclusive or partial sponsor of an event, or a contributor to the annual budget or awards fund, an organization, business or individual will be entitled to a number benefits. Contributors’ recognition of the value of this program is through receipt of: (1) Master Program, (2) Quarterly Newsletters, (3) Community Concert Announcements, (4) Clinic and Workshop Announcement Invitations (5) Reception Invitations, (6) Tax Voucher Receipt of Donations, and (6) Letters of Appreciation. Community support is encouraged through the solicitation of evaluations from Board Members, Visiting Artists and Clinicians, Judges, Arts and Humanities Professors, Arts Management Agencies, Visiting Teachers and General Public. These factors serve to ensure perpetuation and credibility.
The incorporation of community efforts and dedication, through the establishment of the Foundation was realized in l986. This independent organization has committed itself to the perpetuation of an annual arts service program available to aspiring music students. The DeBose Foundation is exempt from federal income tax under 501-(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a result of this formation, and the developed national focus, the Competition-Festival brings additional recognition to Louisiana. 1996 brought the additional challenge of this program as a potential international festival, unique to Louisiana. As the only program of its kind, the commitment provides auditions for (a) Average-Age, (b) Late-Starter, and (c) Accelerated student musicians. The Calendar of Events provides students, teachers, parents and general public with an advantage of the afore-stated opportunities represented by the investment of much time and money; with the commitment of current and new supporters, expansion in enrollment and programming to meet the needs of all who are annual participants and observers.
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DEBOSE FOUNDATION CREDENTIALS
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
» Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Louisiana State Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts.
» Community Fund for the Arts Recipient Organizations Allocation, Project Assistance Fund and Multicultural Organization Assistance Fund as administered by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge.
» In-kind support from the Southern University-Baton Rouge Campus, East Baton Rouge Parish Library System, Baton Rouge Gallery, East Baton Rouge School System, and Baton Rouge Community College.
» IRS Non-profit Organization Designation, 501 (c)(3)
COMMUNITY SPONSORS RECORD OF CORPORATE SPONSORS
Baton Rouge Gallery~Center for Contemporary Art Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
East Baton Rouge Parish Schools Target Store-Siegen Lane, Baton Rouge
East Baton Rouge Parish Library Entergy of Louisiana
Thompson Investments, Incorporated Pennington Foundation
ExxonMobil Cultural Matching Gift Fund Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Southern Teachers & Parents FCU Junior League of Baton Rouge
Tornado Mortgage, Incorporated Milton J. Womack Foundation
O’Neill’s Music House Freeport-McMoran Corporation
Zeagler Music Stores Louisiana Lottery Corporation
Zueleza Literary Society Novartis Foundation
ORGANIZATIONS
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Music Teachers National Association
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Music Educators National Conference
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated Federation of Music Teachers
The Links, Incorporated , Baton Rouge Chapter National Guild of Piano Teachers
Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon Music Fraternity
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated Baton Rouge Community Chorus
Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated Keyboard Musicians Club
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Heritage Ensemble
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Southern University Louisiana State University
College of Arts & Humanities College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Visual & Performing Arts School of Music & Creative Arts
Baton Rouge, Louisiana Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana State University University of Louisiana
College of Arts & Sciences College of Arts & Sciences
School of Music School of Music
Hammond, Louisiana Lafayette, Louisiana
Baton Rouge Community College
Magnolia Arts Center & Library
5301 Florida Boulevard
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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| Tourgee Albion DeBose, Professor of Piano |
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| "Outreach & Discovery - Embracing the Arts" |
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36th Anniversary Celebration
DeBose National Piano Competition
The DeBose Foundation, Incorporated
Established: 1974
Incorporated: 1986
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