Shepaug Friends of Music

Shepaug Friends of Music joins the first ever regional "Give Local" fund raising event adminsistered by the Connecticut Community Foundation (CCF). In celebration of CCF's 90th anniversary, the foundation wanted to give back to local non-profits by holding this 36-hour online event which would benefit all. Donors can designate their gifts to Shepaug Friends of Music on the Give Local website and CCF will augment each gift proportionally with a $ 100,000 pool of additional funds shared among all participating organizations. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to share our message to a wider audience of donors and benefit from some additional funds.

This year, Shepaug Friends of Music has given $ 14,340.00 in awards and grants to support the growth of music in our schools and community. Our schools need us now, more than ever, and we need YOU in turn to help us raise sufficient funds to continue to be able to support music and theatre at the level we have.

Give to Shepaug Friends of Music by going to to donate between 7am November 12 and 7 pm November 13. Your donation is entirely tax deductible and a receipt will be immediately emailed. Shepaug Friends of Music will receive your funds in full, plus the supplement amount earned through your donation through this venue. We thank you in advance for your participation.

At the Annual Meeting held October 28, 2013 a new member of the Board of Directors was presented and approved. We welcome Laura DaFonte to new two-year term. New officers for the 2013-2014 year were elected and approved: David Kellogg, President; Pels Matthews Vice-President; Michael Gorra, Treasurer; Wayne Hileman, Secretary. The Board of Directors thank former director Stephen Hardy who has relocated, for his time on the Board, and former teachers Charlie Batchelder and Friso Hermans for their years of service to teaching music and musical appreciation to our students over the years. We wish them all well!

As the 2012-2013 fiscal year comes to an end, it is certainly worthy to note that Shepaug Friends of Musics has just celebrated its 10th year supporting the arts in our communities.

During very difficult economic times, we maintained our financial stability, while supporting the theatre and musical departments of Shepaug Middle and High School. SFOM provided the full financial backing for the Middle School's successful production of "Edwina". We were also the main financial backer of the High School's terrific production of "How to Succeed in Business." Financing the theatre productions of both schools has been a new avenue for SFOM, and has made us aware of the need to raise more funds going forward.

We made our presence known at functions through Washington, Roxbury and Bridgewater through market days on the Green and at the school performances. Our annual Messiah Sign at the Roxbury Congregational Church was a highlight of the year, a resounding success by all accounts, and enjoyed by all.

As we look forward to the comming year, we need to concentrate on bringing in fresh new talent to our Board. We need to add new Directors to fulfill our mission. Fundraising is priority number one this coming year. The Board will look to new ideas, venues and reach people not yet familiar with our pledge to the community to support and improve music education in our schools. We will seek a closer collaboration with our music teachers, seek their participation as we look for funds to buy instruments, sheet music, scripts and to supplement the program. We will foster a two-way street and look for their support and involvement in our mission so that we can better support theirs.

In closing, I want to thank each one of our Board members for their dedication and work this past year. If each of us can bring in one additional new member, think of how much better this coming year can be.

Sincerely,

David Kellogg
President