The Gilchrist Foundation’s Ear for Music is Pitch Perfect
Music is an integral part of our daily lives. Infectious beats and rhythms shape our personal and cultural identities, but music is also good for the soul. According to the American Psychiatric Association, music has a beneficial impact on mood regulation, including when we’re stressed. Beyond its healing potential, music can also shape communities by introducing people to new cultures and sounds.
Jocelyn Gilchrist recognized the value of musical performances and music education. As a young woman, she frequented the Chicago Symphony and enjoyed the theater. She developed a deep fondness for the arts, both live and on the radio. This passion led her to support music through the Gilchrist Foundation, and it remains a pillar of the Foundation’s philanthropic mission today.
Supporting Music-Related Initiatives in Siouxland
In 2024, The Gilchrist Foundation awarded several grants and awards to support music-related initiatives. Here is a list of those grants.
Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools: Received a micro grant of $4,962 to enhance the Sacred Heart School Jazz Band's musical capabilities by funding the purchase of a new drum set, piano and clarinet. These instruments will provide students with improved learning opportunities and help elevate the band’s performances. The Gold and Blue Jazz Band is an auditioned group of students that rehearse outside the regular school day and compete with other jazz ensembles at multiple festivals during the spring season.
Des Moines Metro Opera House Inc.: Awarded a project grant of $20,000 to support the OPERA Iowa Touring Troupe’s 2025 season. This funding will help bring high-quality opera performances and educational outreach programs to communities across Iowa, fostering a deeper appreciation for classical music and the performing arts. For over 37 years OPERA Iowa has visited rural schools, city classrooms, cafetoriums, community centers, concert halls and gymnasiums, offering over one million young people and adults a quality arts experience while building new enthusiastic opera audiences.
Engage Le Mars Inc.: Received a micro grant of $5,000 to support a free concert night in July 2024. The event aims to bring the community together by offering an evening of live music entertainment, promoting local artists and encouraging cultural engagement. Engage Le Mars is a local nonprofit founded in 2022.
First United Methodist Church: Awarded a project grant of $25,000 for the Music Academy at First, an initiative focused on expanding its private lesson program. This funding will allow more students to receive individualized music instruction, fostering musical talent and enriching the church’s overall music ministry. The Music Academy at First offers free, high-quality music instruction to children in the Siouxland area whose families would otherwise not be able to afford it.
Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce: Awarded two micro grants of $5,000 each to enhance community celebrations with live music and theatrical entertainment. One grant supported performances at the 2024 Ice Cream Days Festival, while the other funded musical entertainment for "Christmas in Hometown Le Mars," ensuring festive and engaging experiences for attendees. The vision of the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce is to position Le Mars as a destination community.
MOC Floyd Valley School District: Received a micro grant of $5,000 to purchase three new instruments for the jazz band. This investment will provide students with better-quality instruments, improving their ability to practice and perform at a higher level. The band program is supported by the MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District and the Pride of the Dutchmen Band Parent Organization.
Morningside University: Awarded a micro grant of $5,000 to support two opera productions in Spring 2024. The School of Visual and Performing Arts presented Giacomo Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi,” a comedic opera and a family-friendly rendition of “Little Red Riding Hood” by Seymour Barab. This funding helped cover production costs, including set construction, costumes and musician stipends, allowing students and community members to experience free live opera performances.
North Stars Band Inc.: Received a micro grant of $5,000 to purchase amplification technology. This investment will enhance sound quality for performances, ensuring that musicians can be heard clearly in both indoor and outdoor settings, thereby improving the overall concert experience. North Stars Band, Inc. is a nonprofit organization supporting the Band Programs of Sioux City North High School and its students including Marching Band, Symphonic and Concert Bands, Pep Band, Indoor Winter Drumline, Jazz Bands and Mariachi Band.
Sioux City Community School District: Awarded a project grant of $34,900 to update audio equipment in the East High School auditorium. These improvements will provide students and faculty with state-of-the-art sound technology, enhancing school concerts, theater productions and other live events.
Sioux Empire Community Theatre Inc.: Received a project grant of $10,000 for The Premiere Premieres Program, an initiative by The Premiere Playhouse that focuses on developing and showcasing new theatrical works. The Premiere Playhouse is the leading educational community theatre of Sioux Falls, S.D. This funding will support the creation and staging of original productions, contributing to the growth of the regional theater scene.
These grants reflect The Gilchrist Foundation's commitment to supporting music education and performance in the community.
About The Gilchrist Foundation
The Gilchrist Foundation was founded by Jocelyn Gilchrist of Sioux City to honor her family’s philanthropic legacy. Throughout her life, Jocelyn championed the arts, wildlife conservation, public broadcasting and disaster relief, supporting these causes both personally and through the Foundation. Since her passing in 2008, the Foundation has carried on her vision.
Today, the Gilchrist Foundation remains committed to advancing its founder’s charitable mission, prioritizing initiatives that foster long-term sustainability and special projects rather than ongoing operational expenses.
To learn more about the Gilchrist Foundation, contact us today.