Showing off some of the first engraved bricks installed as part of the SFA Music Preparatory Division’s “Pathway to Music” campaign are, clockwise from top, Farrar and MaryAnn Bentley, Music Prep advisory board members; Pat Barnett, Music Prep division director; and Clara Boyett, Music Prep student assistant. The scholarship fundraiser is continuing.
“The scholarship fundraiser’s purpose is to raise money to assist students in their study of music,” said Pat Barnett, Music Prep division director. “Partial scholarships are awarded each August to those who make application. The scholarship fund has been depleted, so it is imperative to raise more funds.”
And with tuition costs rising this fall, it is even more critical for the campaign to be successful, Barnett explained.
“Due to increased expenses for the Music Preparatory Division, scholarships are even more important for our students,” said Barnett.
The “pathway” leads to the Music Prep House at 3028 Raguet Street. Bricks are sold for $100 on the pathway, $200 on the porch steps and $500 for corporate donors. The corporate donors will have two bricks engraved with words of support for the Music Preparatory Division’s scholarship fundraiser.
Music Prep offers musical training on any level of proficiency. Overall musicianship is stressed in addition to the study of an instrument. Private music lessons are offered in piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, classical guitar, voice, percussion, French horn, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone and flute. Also, Music Prep offers an orchestra, Piney Woods Youth Orchestra, as well as the Piney Woods Chorale, an adult piano class, musicianship classes and Kindermusik. Music Prep teaches all ages, from infants to 80 and beyond. Music therapy is also offered.
The Music Prep faculty is comprised of SFA School of Music faculty, SFA students and musicians from the community and the Houston area.
“Serving approximately 270 students, the Music Preparatory Division is dedicated to the highest standard of music education, performance and outreach to the East Texas community,” Barnett said
Those who wish to purchase a brick can download a “Pathway to Music” order form available on the Music Prep website at www.music.sfasu.edu/prep. For more information, call (936) 468-1291 or email musicprep@sfasu.edu. Scholarship applications are also available on the website.
