As I discussed in my second oral history, whenever I am not getting to do, through regular channels, what I want to do, I try to find a way to “make it happen” on my own. I wanted to do more performing as a solo classical pianist and came up with the idea of entertaining senior citizens who did not have the means and/or physical health to attend public concerts. The informance format of the concerts included brief commentary before each piece and the length of the program was kept at around 30 minutes.
I had learned about some performing-arts grants when, as a member of the Austin Choral Union, I worked to find funding for our concerts. I expanded on this knowledge through research and advice from others, notably fellow ACU member and arts supporter Dan Bullock of Austin, Texas. With the support of the Music Umbrella of Austin, a non-profit aegis through which I could apply for grants, I obtained grants and private donations to fund this project.
I sought donations from Austin-area manufacturers, Austin service clubs, individual arts supporters, financial institutions, and foundations. I also called upon highly-visible individuals (Mary Faulk Koock and Claude Pepper), who championed programs for seniors, to lend their support to this project, and I was gratified that they agreed to do so.
Programs, newsletters, articles, and more from my music-and-theatre work in Texas, including this project, are archived at The Austin History Center: AR.2021.016 Barbara Irvine Papers.
