Catawba College has announced the creation of a music scholarship in Harry’s honor, with a kick-off event to be held at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square on March 5:
HARRY CHAPIN SCHOLARSHIP CELEBRATION AT HARD ROCK CAFE
Salisbury, NC – One of Harry Chapin’s famous lines was “Keep the change.” Fans of the late great singer/songwriter are now being asked to contribute that change and the interest it has accrued over the years to honor his memory. The funds will help endow a Harry Chapin music scholarship at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC.
Chapin’s New York fans are also invited to attend a kickoff celebration for the campaign to endow the scholarship. It will be take place at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square on Saturday, March 5th. Free and open to all Chapin fans, the kickoff will begin at 8:00 p.m.
Chapin is best remembered as the writer of such hit story songs as “Taxi,” “Cats in the Cradle,” and “Mail Order Annie.” He was also a memorable performer who captivated audiences around the world. As important, Chapin was a committed humanitarian and tireless champion for the poor, hungry, and disadvantaged. He co-founded World Hunger Year (now WhyHunger) and performed many live dates each year for a wide range of charities.
Catawba College is one of only about a dozen American colleges or universities with a curriculum specifically designed for students of popular music. This has made it a home for a growing number of talented performers and songwriters. Over the past five years, five Catawba students have placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in the national John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship competition. This is far better results than any other school in a contest that receives thousands of entries each year.
In recognition of such success, In Tune Monthly recently named Catawba a Best Music School for 2011 in an annual article on top colleges and universities. This is the fourth year running the magazine has listed Catawba alongside such established institutions as Julliard, Eastman, and Peabody.
Catawba received permission from the estate of Harry Chapin last year to establish an endowed scholarship in his name. The Chapin Scholarship will be awarded to talented songwriting students who have demonstrated a commitment to social activism and/or community service for study at Catawba. Harry’s daughter Jen Chapin is serving as honorary chairperson for the endowment campaign.
According to Dr. David Lee Fish, chair of the Catawba Music Department, “We’re grateful to the Hard Rock Cafe for opening their doors for the campaign kickoff.” He added, “We invite Chapin’s fans to join us in honoring him on March 5th. We’ll share stories about Harry, sing some of his songs, and remember how he made this a better place to be. Of course, we’ll also pass the hat.”
A special live performance of the entire Beatles’ Abbey Road album by the Catawba College Vernaculars will immediately follow the Chapin celebration at the Hard Rock Cafe. It too is free and open to the public, and Chapin fans are invited to stay for the show.
Individuals interested in helping endow the Harry Chapin Scholarship fund may make a tax-deductible contribution by visiting http://www.catawba.edu/academic/music/HarryChapin. asp.
For more information about the Harry Chapin Scholarship or the campaign kickoff event, contact Dr. David Lee Fish at 704-637-4280 or dlfish (at symbol) catawba.edu.