CCM's Preparatory Department Hosts Ted Hitchens Family FUNdraiser July 19

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) Preparatory Department is proud to host the inaugural

Ted Hitchens FAMILY FUNdraiser

, supporting the Edward L. (Ted) Hitchens Music Scholarship Fund, on

Saturday, July 19

from

12 until 5 p.m.

at Cincinnati's Dunham Recreation Center.

The fun-filled afternoon features an array of family-friendly entertainment and activities, including performances by the CCM Prep vocal ensemble,

VoiceWorks

; excerpts from

The Pirates of Penzance

by CCM Prep's Camp Curtain Call and performances by the

Sunset Players Community Theater Group

. Also featured are carnival games, face painting, a silent auction and a picnic-style buffet. Children of all ages can explore their fine arts talents with an instrument petting zoo, instrument-making workshops, dance

workshops and more.

Proceeds from the event benefit the

Edward L. Hitchens Music Scholarship Fund

, which provides scholarships for students to participate in CCM Prep's summer camp programs. Eleven children were awarded scholarships from this fund for summer camp programs in 2008.

Admission to the Ted Hitchens FAMILY FUNdraiser is $50 per pre-registered family or $15 per person on the day of the event. Admission includes meal tickets. For pre-registration, call the CCM Preparatory Department at 513-556-2595. Visit

http://www.elhms.com

for additional information.

Support provided by The Kroger Company

______________________________________________

ABOUT THE EDWARD "TED" HITCHENS MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The Edward L. Hitchens Music Scholarship Fund was established in 2007 in the loving memory of Edward "Ted" Hitchens, Sr. A graduate of CCM, Hitchens worked as a music teacher at Deer Park High School and several of the Cincinnati Public Schools, as well as a flight instructor at Blue Ash Airport.

During his high school years, Hitchens played major singing roles with the Withrow Minstrels, directed by the acclaimed George G. Smith. Shortly after graduating from high school, Hitchens played a leading role in the Mariemont Summer Youth Production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance. Graduating from CCM in 1965, Hitchens went on to get his master¹s degree in choral directing.

In the 1970s, Hitchens directed the Delta Kings Barbershop Chorus and in 1987 established and directed the Procter and Gamble Big Band. The band went on to perform for company functions and numerous local events, including Tall Stacks, Moonlight Gardens' Summerfair and St. Rita's Fundraising Festival. The Big Band also won top honors at the MARS Corporate Band Challenge as best all-around band. Hitchens directed this band until his death in 2007. At the same time, he also played keyboard for the "Varieties" Big Band and serves as musical director for the Loveland Stage Company and the Mason Community Players.

In addition to being a talented musician, Hitchens was also a meticulous pilot. At the age of 18, he earned his license to fly small aircrafts. As a flight instructor at Blue Ash Airport, he gave flying instructions for over 30 years and also became a dedicated volunteer for "Angel Flights," an organization that provides free transportation for patients whose medical needs can only be met by health care facilities far from their hometown.

Hitchens died in a mid-air plane collision in Sharonville, Ohio in May 2007. The Edward L. Hitchens Music Scholarship Fund has been established in his memory, in an effort to fulfill his dream of helping musically motivated people of all ages further their musical education.