Trane Virginia District joins community sponsors, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Western Community College and the Virginia Western Educational Foundation to host a benefit music festival for the Community College Access Program (CCAP). All proceeds of the Trane Music Festival to benefit CCAP on Saturday, March 16 from 4-7:30 p.m. in the Roanoke Performance Arts Theatre go directly to make college possible for local high school graduates.
The Trane Music Festival to benefit CCAP will include performances by high school concert bands from currently participating CCAP localities, including William Fleming, Patrick Henry, Salem and Franklin County High Schools, in addition to a Roanoke Symphony Orchestra ensemble performance.
Trane and parent company Ingersoll Rand are long-time supporters of CCAP for Roanoke City, which began with a pilot program in 2009. The Educational Foundation recently announced that, in addition to programs in Franklin County and the Cities of Roanoke and Salem, pilot programs for Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke Counties will begin in fall 2013. With the expansion, CCAP is now available in Virginia Western’s entire service region. The program gives local high school graduates who meet program guidelines the opportunity to attend college tuition free for two years. The Trane Music Festival to benefit CCAP raises funds for the region-wide program.
“As a global company with district headquarters in Roanoke, Trane believes in the importance of quality education and training a qualified workforce. CCAP provides access to a college education to young people who would otherwise not be able to afford it, and creates a pipeline of educated and trained employees for our region,” said David Pierson, district manager. “The Trane Music Festival to benefit CCAP gives Trane and other sponsors the chance to give back to the community by hosting an educational and entertaining program, and supporting a worthy program.”
A community resource fair throughout the event provides opportunity for students and concert-goers to learn more about local job opportunities, four-year colleges and universities, and regional arts and culture organizations. Virginia Western Community College and the Educational Foundation, in partnership with Trane and other sponsors, are presenting an event that will benefit high school and college students, and add to the strong arts and culture community in the Roanoke Valley.
“Providing arts and culture education is important to the College and the region, as is providing access to education for our young people,” said Dr. Robert H. Sandel, president. “We appreciate Trane’s leadership in hosting an event that benefits CCAP and also provides a unique event for local arts and culture supporters.”
The music festival is free for students under 16 years of age and $10 for other attendees, which includes a $2 facility fee. All proceeds benefit CCAP. The Virginia Western Educational Foundation funds CCAP through the support of local governments, businesses, foundations and individuals.
CCAP sponsors include: Advance Auto Parts, Botetourt Education Foundation, Carilion Clinic, Craig County, Franklin County, Ingersoll-Rand, Kroger, LewisGale Regional Health System, MFA, Quantum Medical, Richfield Retirement, Roanoke City and Roanoke City Public Schools, Roanoke County, Roanoke Women’s Foundation, Salem City, Stop-In Food Stores, Trane, and the Virginia Tobacco Commission.
Graduating seniors of participating high schools are eligible to apply for CCAP. Applicants must have attended high school in a participating locality for their junior and senior year, and have been a resident of the same participating locality for their junior and senior year. The entire application, with instructions and checklists for each locality is available at www.virginiawestern.edu/ccap. Students applying to the program are required to apply to Virginia Western, complete the financial aid process, take the Virginia Western placement test, and complete the online CCAP application. The deadline to apply and submit all required documentation is March 29.
For more information about the Trane Music Festival, please visit www.virginiawestern.edu/foundation.
