By Margit Resch
You have been to some (or to all five) of our concerts here on Fripp Island this past season, haven’t you? So you know that they are always a pleasure, no matter whether they are jazzy, pop-py, or classical, no matter whether a five-piece band is playing, a duo of some kind, or a solo pianist. And not only are these concerts a treat for the ear and the soul, but for the taste buds. Yes, taste buds, because included in your ticket is a Meet-the-Artists reception after the concert with delicious hors-d’oeuvres created by Harold’s Chef Services.
Do you know that Fripp Island Friends of Music, FIFOM, which has been providing the musical and culinary treats for the Beaufort community since 1983, actually pursues several other important and impactful missions? By virtue of grants, generous donations by our members and sponsors, and two very special memorial funds, FIFOM is able to conduct several outreach programs designed to enhance music appreciation and practice by our local youth. FIFOM is an appreciative vehicle for the beneficence of our musical community. Thank you!
The Peg Gorham Memorial Fund sustains our popular Music-in-the-Schools program. Music-in-the-Schools? Peg’s passion was “bringing music to children and children to music.” So, on the Monday after every concert, the musicians visit a Beaufort school and provide not only an age-appropriate performance, but interact with the students, much to the delight and enrichment of all involved.
Furthermore, FIFOM makes substantial contributions to youth music organizations, such as the Beaufort Symphony Youth Orchestra, for music lessons, summer camps, and other endeavors. In February, FIFOM supplemented a state grant toward a public concert coordinated by Beaufort Middle School Music/Band/Orchestra Director, Amanda Trimpey: the Electrify Your Symphony Concert, where Amanda and internationally known musicians Mark Wood and Dr. Javier Stuppard conducted—in most senses of this word—the splendid performance of over one-hundred students from six different schools, all demonstrating mastery of an array of instruments, some quite unusual, such as electric cellos and violins. The project included a day-long workshop in which these professionals instructed the students how to bring motion and emotion into their music. What a fabulous, well-attended concert.
Kathlyn Gray, who is in charge of FIFOM’s “Mission Money,” was happy to report another remarkable project: scholarships for two students of the Beaufort Middle School Orchestra/Band, enabling them to join their band members on a trip to Atlanta this April to participate in the Southern Star Music Festival competition, the band’s first attendance in any music festival. They came home, believe it or not, with a Silver rating and a trophy. They are very proud of their achievements. So are we!
To close out this school year and to celebrate our upcoming 40th Anniversary season, the Gorham Fund is also providing five FIFOM School Grants of up to $1000 to the music teachers of Beaufort County schools north of the Broad River for the 24-25 school year. Applications (fifomschoolgrants@gmail.com) will be considered by the selection committee May 1.
Oh, and last but not least, the Peg Gorham Memorial Fund allows us to admit students to our Fripp Island concerts for free. Yeah!
Our second wonder-full memorial fund was established by the Aldrich family in memory of their beloved matriarch Hildy Aldrich for the benefit of St. Helena Elementary School (SHES) in Beaufort County, where Hildy served as a volunteer for many years. Merilyn Smith oversees the Hildy Fund and has faithfully pursued the stated purpose: to promote music education and music appreciation in all SHES grades. The generous Aldrich gift helps students with the purchase of music and musical instruments, and with instrument-specific instruction. It also offers grants to music teachers for resources needed to further the students’ education in the musical arts, such as classroom sets of ukuleles and recorders, and it subsidizes the Music-in-the-Schools program.
According to Brooke Pearson, who organizes Music-in-the-Schools: “Of special note this past season was Roots Grown Deep’s two-day residency at SHES, during which the musicians worked an hour each day with four different classes, culminating in a Wednesday school performance in which the kids participated and taught songs to other kids. This immersive musical experience was hugely successful, and we hope to be able to maintain this new Artist-in-Residency program in seasons to come.”
Wouldn’t you like to help support music in your community and in our local schools? Then consider becoming a member of Fripp Island Friends of Music and help the organization celebrate its 40th season and its continuing success. By the way, you save $50 with a season membership versus paying $30 for each individual concert.
The membership drive for our 40th season begins in June 2024. If you have any questions about membership in FIFOM, contact Vanessa Peñaherrera, Membership Chair, at vandy116@gmail.com. Also visit the FIFOM website: https://www.frippfriendsofmusic.com
To many more happy musical experiences on and off Fripp Island!
