A Community in Harmony

Cross-posted from the "Growing Stoneham" blog: http://growingstoneham.wordpress.com/2014/03/16/a-community-in-harmony/


In addition to the things most people already know about me, there are a few other programs I’m deeply involved in. The one I want to focus on today is the Stoneham Music Parents. I truly believe music enriches the youth of our community’s lives, and as President of the organization, I’ve worked to ensure this program is able to accomplish this.

Part of that effort includes seeking out funding sources, and we recently had tremendous success in that area, thanks to the Stoneham Business & Community Educational Fund (SBCEF) and MELD. We had applied for, and received, a very generous grant which is allowing us to fully fund the After School Jazz Band at Stoneham Middle School.

It is a relief to be able to offer this opportunity to our public school students without the worry of financial constraints, and we have SBCEF and MELD to thank for that. The Jazz Band students are having a wonderful experience and are being exposed to the instruction of Connor Barry, a Berklee College of Music student and former Stoneham High School graduate. Connor is motivating, the kids are having a wonderful time, and there is still room available for any SMS student who would like to join.

Ironically, Connor has been a beneficiary of past grant money extended to SPS by SBCEF and MELD over the years, so it is especially nice to see Connor give back to the Stoneham Music Program.

The SBCEF is a non-profit organization formed to develop a partnership among Stoneham’s citizens, educational community, and business sector. Its goal is to promote the personal and educational growth of the town’s youth. SBCEF and MELD have been very generous contributors to the Stoneham Music Parents for years.

The SBCEF holds four major fund raising events each year: Character Breakfast, Adult Trivia Bee, Town Day Booth and the Trolley Ride at the Common’s Tree Lighting each year. The SBCEF accepts tax deductible donations of any amount. Their web site is http://www.sbcef.org/index.html. We can’t thank SBCEF and MELD enough for their generosity and their attention.

Last summer we were also able to secure a “Cummings Foundation $100K for 100” grant,” which was an extremely generous award that we were grateful for. We were one Stoneham group out of five to share in this award grant. The Stoneham Music Parents received $36,000 out of a total award of $100,000. This grant was made possible by the Children’s Resources through the Cummings Foundation. Cummings Foundation is a private operating foundation. Since its establishment in 1986 it has been primarily funded by Joyce and Bill Cummings of Winchester.

This particular grant has been supporting the efforts of the Stoneham Music Parents initiative to provide music lessons to our students through the After School Elementary School Instrumental Program. It enables children an opportunity to learn an instrument of their choice.

The Stoneham Music Parents Association is a group of volunteers organized to support the music performance groups at all levels at Stoneham Public Schools. It is our mission to influence the return of a full time music program to the schools. Music and the Arts is a vital part of any child’s education and without it, untold opportunities may be The SBCEF holds four major fund raising events each year: Character Breakfast, Adult Trivia Bee, Town Day Booth and the Trolley Ride at the Common’s Tree Lighting each year. The SBCEF accepts tax deductible donations of any amount. Their web site is http://www.sbcef.org/index.html. We can’t thank SBCEF and MELD enough for their generosity and their attention.

-Ann Marie O'Neill