OUR HISTORY

The Program is named in honor of the late, Reverend E N Bates, father of the Program Director, Celeste Bates Scaife. He recognized the musical talent in Celeste.

Reverend Bates was the founding pastor of the Greater Second Baptist Church located in the Eastdale area (1965-1988). He was instrumental in the inclusion of the community’s young people by providing activities that not only attracted them, but their parents as well.

“Mr. Bates” as he was lovingly called was also the assistant principal of Chattanooga High School (now named, Chattanooga High School Center for the Creative Arts).

As an educator, Reverend Bates understood that exposing children to music at a young age, boosts cognitive and intellectual abilities, and activates similar parts of the brain used in spatial reasoning and math.

The E N Bates Music Enrichment Program stems from the vision of music possibility that Reverend Bates recognized in his daughter, Celeste, as well as his love for the Eastdale community. The Program will extend the essence of music possibility by providing access to piano training. We envision a musical community of children.