This money should not stay in the bank - our committee has decided it would be a good idea to offer a bursary to some children for music lessons.
I have handed over a cheque for $ 1000 to the Bergthorson Academy of Musical Arts. The School has never failed, over the years, to recommend our Candlelight Concerts to students, parents and teachers. They have provided page turners and the occasional performer. Hezekiah Leung, now the violist of the Rolston String Quartet that performed for us in October, was one of them. Bariton Andrew Greenwood, expected to perform this coming March, is another.
Please read how Robert Hornsey, director of the Music School, has decided to use our gift.
I have been working with Yumiko and the ISS (Immigration Services Society) to identify appropriate recipients for the most generous $1000.00 donation/scholarship/bursary given to our Academy from the Maple Ridge Music Society. We have awarded four months of 1 on 1 piano lessons to each of Zeena Al-Jumaili (13) and sister Mina (7). We also included borrowing of a digital key board, stand and books so they can practice at home. As a companion award through the Judith Bergthorson Memorial Fund and BCMEPS (Bergthorson Community Music Education Performance Society) we have also offered 4 months of guitar lessons and use of a classical guitar to 14 year old sister Fatima Al-Jumaili. Their father's name is Fakhri oday Al-Jumali. They are a Muslim family that has come from Iraq to Dubai and then Canada. They are living at the Ford Road Housing Co-op in Pitt Meadows. I would also like to sponsor bringing them all to one of the Candlelight concerts some time in the future. I have attached a picture of this lovely family to share with your MRMS members. Thank you all for your generous support of music and new Canadians. Judith Bergthorson and I always said the purpose of our Academy was to use music to change peoples' lives. I can think of no better example of what Judith had envisioned. I am sure she is smiling down appreciatively of what she would call this "elegant occurrence."
Cheers, Robert Hornsey
Best regards,
Josine Eikelenboom
for the
Maple Ridge Music Society
