Founded using a monetary grant from former
Superintendent of Schools, Arthur Becker and continuing the efforts begun by
community leader, Mary Gambles, the Becker/Gambles Music Fund supports music
education in the South Country School District. To this end, the fund
administers a scholarship program, produces an annual concert series,
provides master classes in the schools, participates in the Chamber Music
America grant program, presents opera appreciation classes and promotes
donations of musical instruments.
Scholarship Program
The fund raises money to provide scholarships for music
study to deserving students from 4th through 11th
grade. Intermediate and middle school students are able to continue music
lessons during the summer months and high school students are able to enroll
in summer workshops, participate in youth ensembles and attend music camps.
Concert Series
Each year the Becker/Gambles Music Fund presents
concerts to the community. The concerts range from popular to jazz to
classical. Groups have included string quartets, jazz ensembles, a capella
choirs and individual vocalists and instrumentalists.
Master Classes
As part of the mission to support music education, the
fund sponsors master classes in our schools. Through these classes our
music students work with musicians to improve their ability. Our students
are inspired to improve and excel by this personal contact. Over the years,
advanced students from SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY Fredonia and Tufts University
have worked with our students. Additionally, for the past 5 years, the
members of the world renowned Daedalus Quartet have worked with our
orchestra students. This collaboration is especially meaningful since 3 of
the quartet members are alumni of our schools.
Chamber Music America Grant
THE South Country Education Foundation is a
participating community organization in a prestigious, generous grant from
Chamber Music America. This 3 year grant brings chamber music to our
schools and community. Through this grant, the members of the Daedalus
Quartet are able to work with our students throughout the school year in our
schools and at the Boys and Girls Club. The quartet also presents three
concerts to the community each year, one at Bellport High School, one in the
North Bellport community and one at the Patchogue Theater for the Performing
Arts. At the Patchogue Theater, members of the high school orchestra will
perform with the quartet.
This grant began in the 2007-2008 school year and
continues through the 2009-2010 school year. Through the music fund, the
Education Foundation has committed to financial and in kind support for the
activities of the grant. Chamber Music America is providing the vast amount
of support in the form of a 3 year commitment for $45,000.
Opera Appreciation Course
Beginning in the spring of 2009, the Becker/Gambles
Music Fund will sponsor an introductory course in Opera. The course will
consist of 8 classes of 90 minutes each. The instructor will be Dr. Ira
Hayes, who taught a similar course at the College of New Rochelle for 6
years.
Musical Instrument Donation Program
If you have a clarinet, flute, violin piano or any
musical instrument that is not being used, please consider donating it for
use in our schools. All instruments are evaluated, repaired if necessary
and are put to good use in our excellent music program.
Karen Rowley co-ordinates this program, you can contact
her at 286-0975.
Donate to the Becker/Gambles Music Fund
The work of the fund cannot go on without the
generosity of members of our community. If you would like to support the
fund, send your donation made out to “South Country Education Foundation”
with “Becker/Gambles Music Fund” on the memo line, to SCEF, PO Box 512,
Bellport, NY 11713.
Thank you for your support,
The Becker/Gambles Music Fund Committee
Chantal Berman, Tim Hogan, Daryl Jordan, Nancy Marr,
Karen Rowley, Dava Stravinsky, Will Struyk, Gene Westhoff
