Wilton’s Music on the Hill Awarded $11K Grant from CT Humanities

Wilton’s Music on the Hill was recently awarded an $11,300 CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant by CT Humanities, the statewide, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. 

“We are thrilled and very grateful to have been the recipient of this award. These funds will directly support our music programs for children and adults, and will enable us to expand our offerings,” said Music on the Hill Artistic Director, Ellen Dickinson.

Music on the Hill was one of 624 organizations awarded funds totaling $16M from CT Humanities. The funds are part of $30.7M of support allocated to arts, humanities, and cultural nonprofits through CT Humanities over the next two years by the CT General Assembly and approved by Governor Ned Lamont. Grant funding ranged from $5,000 to $500,000. 

These funds will assist organizations as they recover from the pandemic and maintain and grow their ability to serve their community and the public. Working in partnership with the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA), CT Humanities prioritized the equitable distribution of this funding, reaching a vast array of organizations statewide to ensure all residents can access rich cultural experiences.

Other Wilton organizations receiving awards are:

Carl Schmitt Foundation - $5,900

Weir Farm Art Center - $8,000

Wilton Historical Society - $39,500

Founded in 2011, Music on the Hill provides focused opportunities for choral musicians and vocalists, handbell ringers, and instrumentalists to participate in performances, workshops and festivals, and social events with fellow music-lovers. The organization offers four performing ensembles for adults, including the Festival Chorus, a non-auditioned chorus for experienced singers, and the Summer Chorus, a non-auditioned, experienced chorus that assembles each summer to perform a major choral work. 

In addition, Music on the Hill offers a Community Children’s Chorus (not currently meeting due to COVID), and Music EXPLO (grades 3 - 8) and Music Adventures (grades K - 2) for children. In these sessions, children learn, singing, handbell ringing, and West African drumming. Spring Semester classes start Thursday, February 3 - Music EXPLO meets from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m., and Music Adventures meets from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m.

As part of the expanded offerings empowered by this grant, Music on the Hill will offer a beginning handbell workshop series, “Learn to Ring!” Fridays in March from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Music on the Hill, 531 Danbury Road, Wilton.

To learn more about Music on the Hill’s upcoming programs and events, and to sign-up for programs, visit musiconthehillCT.org.