MANCHESTER, NH — Tickets are available for the March 31 Manchester Community Music School “Share the Music Gala.” This is the organization’s primary fundraising event, which supports the tuition assistance fund, extending musical instruction and appreciation to local students.
The event, to be held at the Southern NH University banquet hall, will feature the NH Youth Jazz Ensemble. Tickets are $75 for general seating, or $100 for VIP seating, and can be purchased online at mcmusicschool.org
The event program will also include award presentations for the following honorees:
2016 MCMS Impact Award, Elliott and Debbie Markow.
The Impact Award is presented to a faculty member, student, MCMS volunteer, or community member who has shown incredible dedication to the mission of the school and to the students and families it serves.
The Markow’s have been teaching at the Music School for 20 years and in that time have enriched the lives of hundreds of children and their families. Going far beyond teaching music, they have served as mentors to aspiring musicians, advocates for music education and financial assistance, and at times have literally plucked students out of the community that they have seen a “special spark in” and simply knew immediately that child would benefit from music education. They truly embody the mission of the school: “Changing Lives Through the Power of Learning, Sharing and Making Music”.
First Leadership Award: Thomas Lewry
“When we decided to create the Leadership Award we had numerous discussions about who should receive the very first one. The Music School has been blessed with the support of many wonderfully dedicated individuals who have given their time, talents and financial assistance in furthering the mission of the school. Throughout every conversation, there was one name that was consistently mentioned, Tom Lewry,” said Judy Teehan, Executive Director of the Music School.
Lewry started at MCMS about a decade ago as a student and within a very short time agreed to become a member of the Board of Directors. Not long after, he was appointed Chairman of the Board and also served as Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee. Today he remains very involved as a member of the Finance and Executive Committees for the school.
“I want to see the school survive and prosper, so that music lovers young and old can continue to receive the thoughtful musical mentoring that only an institution of this type can provide,” states Tom. “MCMS is a critically important member of our community and our state, and it will always remain in my thoughts and plans for the future.”
