Singing a Different Tune

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Wednesday, 27 June 2012 20:34

Say “scholarships,” and automatically people think of ivy covered buildings, dormitories, and professors with long credentials teaching eager minds at the post-secondary level.  And, yes, the Community Foundation just presented more than $500,000 in post-secondary scholarships to 260 scholars for the 2012-2013 academic year.  Quite an accomplishment for a community foundation that primarily uses the investment return from its scholarship funds in an economy that has been less than favorable.

And yes, our scholars are going to local institutions such as Frederick Community College, Hood College and Mount Saint Mary’s University, but they are also going to schools as far away as San Antonio, Texas, and El Reno, Oklahoma. Some are going to trade and technical schools, all at the post-secondary level.

But say “scholarships” to us this week, and our team automatically thinks of our music scholarships.  These are special scholarships for students ages 5 to 25 to study instrumental or vocal music through private instruction outside of the normal school day.  More than $14,000 was provided to 28 students from all over Frederick County.  Our music scholars are taking voice lessons and deepening their instrumental skills on the drum, flute, piano, violin, harp, guitar, and French horn.  The scholarship applications revealed students who plan to study music in college with the goal of having a career in music, but they are building their musical foundations now.   Some applications told of students with great talent, but little resources to pursue their musical interests.  And other applications included letters from the music instructors talking about their students’ diligence, commitment to practicing, self-discipline and preparation – all qualities that will serve these students well in life.

Our funds that presented music scholarships this year include The Courtney Muse Music Scholarship Fund, started in memory of this lovely young girl who had a passion for musical performance, The Sperry L. Storm Memorial Scholarship Fund, started in memory of this legendary figure in Frederick County musical history, and The Elaine A. Heiberg Scholarship Fund for the Arts, started by her friends and family in honor of this local patron of the arts’ 80^th birthday.  We have other music scholarship funds that have not begun to provide scholarships; they are growing through contributions and investment return until they reach a benchmark number, and then even more meaningful scholarships will be available to help talented students.

So say “scholarships” in our office, and we are singing a different tune.  We are thinking about music scholarships this week – ones that are assisting talented young people in ways that are For Good. Forever. For Frederick County.