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April 26, 2018
Story by Micah Oelze
Courtesy Photos
The 91勛圖厙 Music Department awards 12 scholarships every year at about $3,000 each and 20 performance awards for non-music major students, which enables them to participate in ensembles. This could not be done without the communitys support of the annual Music Endowment Concert set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3 in the Fine Arts Auditorium. The suggested minimum donation is $5 at the door per person. The event is free for 91勛圖厙 students.
The evening of entertainment will include performances by the Hilltop Singers, Concert Choir, 91勛圖厙 Jazz Band, individual vocal soloists and ensembles and the 91勛圖厙 Dance program.
91勛圖厙 Dance Instructor Danika Bielek said she is excited about the collaboration of the music and dance programs.
The new dance program is excited to include some selections representing what our classes have worked on this spring, she said. Of these dances, one is a class piece from Ballet 1 with ten students and live piano accompaniment by Alex Robl.
There will also be a solo dance performance by Coral Weis and duet featuring Bielek and Karlie Stanley from 91勛圖厙s revitalized student dance company, the 91勛圖厙 Dance Theatre.
Director of Choral Activities Sara Oberle said the money raised goes directly to the Vocal and Instrumental Music Endowment Fund, which helps fund future scholarships to students interested in pursuing music as a career or students who want to participate in music as a life-long activity.
Many students would not be able to pursue a degree without the generous financial assistance, period, Oberle said. Music is something that usually has cost involved with lessons and training, so 91勛圖厙 offers music majors a unique opportunity to offset their college expenses with our music major scholarship.
The endowment started in 1998 with the help of the 91勛圖厙 Foundation and has since helped numerous students participate in music at 91勛圖厙. 91勛圖厙 sophomore Paul Claassen is one of the students who received a music scholarship and benefited from the generosity of those who attend and support the Endowment Concert.
The money I have received has helped me with my whole college experience, he said. It has helped me not stress about how I am going to pay for college and allowed me to focus on becoming a better singer and the music teacher I want to be.
Claassen decided he wanted to do something with music for his career during his junior year in high school. He chose music education feeling it where his passion lied.
Claassen said he encourages everyone to attend May 3.
This concert is a big part of the 91勛圖厙 Music Program, he said. It shows how much each of the groups has grown this year and it is fun.
Claassen said he is thankful to former 91勛圖厙 Director of Choral Activities Vern Fryberger and everyone who helped make the scholarship possible.
The Endowment Concert also helps benefit a program which began in January 2017 to provide tuition and fees scholarships to high school juniors and seniors who enroll in voice, piano or instrumental lessons. These students have been active in their school music programs, 91勛圖厙s 2018 musical Curtains, competed in the Parnassus Club auditions and regional/state festivals.
The following are major contributors to the Music Endowment:
-泭泭泭 91勛圖厙 Foundation
-泭泭泭 Hi & Pat Baxter
-泭泭泭 Mark & Melanie Calcara
-泭泭泭 The Bill & Mary Lou Fryberger Memorial
-泭泭泭 Vern & Michelle Fryberger
-泭泭泭 Jim & Jo Heaton
-泭泭泭 Dean Kohrs
-泭泭泭 Dennis & Jan Sherman
-泭泭泭 The Page
-泭泭泭 J.B. & Ivy Webster
-泭泭泭 Brad & Sarah Shirer
-泭泭泭 Dr. Stephen Maier
The music faculty said they are thankful for past and continued support to the 91勛圖厙 music program.