DOWNEY – The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded the Downey Symphonic Society its second $10,000 grant in as many years.  

Last year’s grant, the first in DSS history, supported a special concert to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the City of Downey’s incorporation.  

This year’s grant will help the orchestra expand the number of musicians for its winter concert, which features the world premiere of a commissioned piece by Downey resident and professional composer Lars Clutterham. 

Don Marshall, President of the DSS, remarked, “NEA grants are highly competitive and among the most prestigious in the arts.  We are proud that NEA recognized the outstanding quality of Downey’s very own Symphony Orchestra.” 

Both awards were part of NEA’s Arts Engagement in American Communities program.