eNewsletter December 2024
Our Year End Report 2024
As the year draws to a close, we want to update you on the Pratt Music Foundation for 2024.
We started in 1996 with three scholarships to the Illinois Wesleyan University Preparatory Music Program. Our scholars already have talent, and motivation; they just need help developing their musical abilities.
Fast forward to 2024, and we have 38 scholars ranging in age from 9 to 18. Each one is receiving individual one-on-one weekly instruction in their chosen instrument: piano, violin, viola, or cello. The Music Shoppe in Normal provides each scholar with the required books and sheet music. Our partner program Share The Music provides an instrument (piano students receive an electronic piano). The student provides the talent and motivation.
The IWU Preparatory Program has been in our community for more than a hundred years, supporting elementary and high school students learning an instrument. But it’s not inexpensive: about $1200 per student per year. And thanks to generous donors like you, the instruction costs are paid as well.
More 2024 News
Earlier this year, we sat down with Regional Superintendent of Education Mark Jontry to talk about our programs. It’s about 17 minutes of podcast packed with information.
https://blubrry.com/1470642/130829836/music-is-vital-with-marc-miller-of-the-pratt-music-foundation/
One of Our Success Stories
ALL of our scholars are success stories, but we had to choose one. We picked Humberto Giles-Sanchez: he was a Pratt Scholar for four academic years (2013 through 2016). He graduated; went to the University of Illinois; along the way, he participated in theater and choir; became interested in journalism, which became his major. He graduated in 2022 and got a job with local TV station KOTA in Rapid City, South Dakota. He’s on air just about every morning.
Notice that he’s not working in music. Not everyone who studies music makes it their career. On the other hand, the values learned while studying music stay with us forever: confidence, independence, perseverance, and personal responsibility. We are proud that Humberto was one of our scholars.
Here’s his profile:
2024-2025 Violin Scholar
