COMMITTED TO MUSIC EDUCATION
Friends of Music believes that support of music education is imperative to the survival and growth of music in our community. Evidence suggests having a musical outlet is critical to young people’s emotional and intellectual development and sense of well-being. We endeavor to help area students through grants, scholarships, open rehearsals, free student tickets, and opportunities to work side-by-side with our professional musicians.
FRIENDS OF MUSIC GRANTS TO LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Each year Friends of Music provides grants (up to $500 each) to assist music programs and students in Berkeley and Jefferson County public schools. Since it began offering grants in 2016, more than $25,500 has been given to local music programs. These funds address a broad range of needs not sufficiently covered by regular school budgets. We are proud to have provided instruments, software, and other essential music supplies through this transformative program.
FRIENDS OF MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
As part of our mission to support music education, each year the Friends of Music (FoM) offers several $500 college scholarships to Eastern Panhandle area high school seniors who plan to continue their studies in music-related fields. In 2023, four scholarships were awarded using funds from the Nora Roberts Foundation. The total funding awarded to date is $10,500.
THE SCOTT BEARD INTERNSHIP
Friends of Music provides an Internship Opportunity each year for a music major from the Shepherd University School of Music. This allows students who are interested in arts administration to gain hands-on experience in managing a non-profit arts or music organization. Some duties include assisting with contracts, concert management, box office, filing and archiving records, and learning about budgeting and fundraising. This internship was started with funding from the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation’s Detlev and Mary Ellen Preissler Fund for Arts, Music, Design and Nature. During the 2023-24 season it will be supported by the Marion Park Lewis Foundation. Support from the Preissler Fund helps to cover the costs of administration and oversight from our Administrator.
OUR 2023-24 INTERN
Gabriella Tedeschi
Gabriella Tedeschi, who lives locally in Sharpsburg, Maryland, is entering her Junior year at Shepherd University as a Music Major specializing in Music Performance with the focus on Clarinet. Gabriella is the Clarinet section leader for the current Ram Band 50th anniversary season, and the Treasurer of Kappa Kappa Psi – Xi Alpha Chapter. This summer she is playing in the Hagerstown Municipal Band and working full-time at the Shepherdstown Walgreens. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she hopes continue on with her education and get her master’s degree in music performance.
About the Education Committee
The Education Committee of the Friends of Music serves as liaison with music teachers in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. Funding to Friends of Music from corporate or foundation grants and private donations is used to enhance music education programs through small mini-grant awards and scholarships. Each year, public school music teachers are given the opportunity to apply for grants worth up to $500 for instruments, equipment, and curriculum materials that would benefit music education. In the spring, high school seniors who intend to pursue their musical interests after graduating can apply for $500 scholarships. A new Scott Beard Internship allows a music major from the Shepherd University School of Music to spend time at Friends of Music. The internship spans two semesters so that the student can learn the many facets of operating a non-profits arts or music organization, including program design and marketing, ticket sales, concert management, board support, and use of various administrative platforms.
The committee also works with both public school and private music teachers to arrange opportunities for meaningful interactions between music students and professional musicians. Invitations to attend orchestra rehearsals and concerts given by the Two Rivers Symphony Orchestra and smaller ensembles are provided to Berkeley and Jefferson school students and teachers as space permits. At least 10 free slots are allocated to teachers in each county. School students can attend at no charge and college students can attend by paying $5. Advance registration is suggested and can be made by sending an email to the Friends of Music Administrator at info@friendswv.org.
THANK YOU TO THESE FUNDERS
Support for these outreach activities is provided by Ecolab (teacher grants), Nora Roberts Foundation (scholarships), Marion Park Lewis Foundation (internship) and the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation’s Detlev and Mary Ellen Preissler Fund for the Arts, Music, Design and Nature (administration and oversight).
