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A little over a year ago, when the Music Fund’s “Encore!” fundraiser* was in full swing, you may recall that there were two independent mini-fundraisers (both benefiting “Encore!”) taking place in the wings. One collection represented memorial gifts given in celebration of the life of a special little boy named Drew. The other collection was from the 10th Grade Gifted Students at Coral Reef High School in Miami, Florida. There was much to be said about these high school students who gave so selflessly to support “Encore!”’s goal of raising vocal scholarship funds for conservatory level students. But when their teacher/fundraiser champion, Julie Tatol, learned that there was another mini-fundraiser taking place at the same time, she respectfully asked that the Coral Reef story be minimized. Out of respect for Drew’s family, she wanted to postpone any recognition that might draw attention away from Drew. The Music Fund agreed with the under-standing that Julie’s students’ story would be told at a time that seemed more appropriate.

The Coral Reef students’ story is one of inspiration. Yes, they raised money for “Encore!” which had targeted conservatory vocal students as the eventual recipients. In fact, they raised $360.00. But then they went on to do much, much more! With the Music Fund’s blessing, they raised additional monies that would be specifically earmarked for the F.C.J. Secondary School Music Program. After all, didn’t the idea of high school students helping other high school students make a great deal of sense? By early 2005, the Coral Reef students had raised $5,587.72 for F.C.J. Astounding!

In the months that followed, considerable time was spent discussing just how the monies would be spent. The music program at F.C.J. might benefit from expanding its percussion instrument collection, but there was also the need for a piano. The decision to purchase a piano was made after the Music Fund received the request quoted below from F.C.J. in October, 2005

“In common with most Irish Convent schools, F.C.J. offered individual piano lessons to its boarding and day students and this practice continued until the early 1980’s. Up till then the school owned about 10 pianos for tuition and performance. Some were sold when piano lessons stopped and over the years most of the remainder were used to keep two good pianos going for choir and music classes and performance. However, at this stage we have only 2 pianos left, one of which is not in good order and is only fit to be used to repair the other piano which is being used in the Music Room (23) for 1st year recorder classes, and 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th year Music classes (i.e. Junior & Leaving Certificate examinations).

“This leaves us without a piano in the Concert Hall for use in rehearsing and staging musicals, choirs for school occasions, accompaniment for examinations (J.C. & L.C. practicals and Associated Board Grade exams.), etc. and Gearoid would dearly love to see the Music Department with a good instrument …

“Over the years we have had a very good relationship with Tynan Pianos of Dublin. Mr. Andy Tynan has kept our pianos ‘going’ longer than we though Possible and his is a very reputable company. He had quoted us €5,000 (including Value Added Tax) for a Yamaha piano, which had been used as a demonstration model. Gearoid has seen the piano and is confident that we would not get a better deal anywhere else.”

The €5,000 quote broke down as follows: cost of the piano, €4,132.00; 21% V.A.T., €868.00. Given the U.S. Dollar/Euro exchange rate (on February 8, 2006), the final cost in U.S. dollars was $6,140.00. Though Julie’s 10th Grade Gifted students’ gift of $5,587.72 clearly covered the cost of the actual piano, the $552.28 difference (resulting from the hefty V.A.T.) would have to be covered by some other source … a “rainy day fund” perhaps???

Many Music Fund supporters will remember our Summer 2005 fundraiser, “Singin’ in the Rain”, which had no specific designation for the collected funds. The idea was to build a nest egg for a “rainy day” in the future. What better way to use some of those funds than to assure that F.C.J. would have its piano. At a Special Meeting on November 5, 2005, the Board of the Music Fund unanimously voted in favor of purchasing the piano.

Below are the letters, cards and pictures from both F.C.J.’s Music Director and his 250 music students. These documents speak for themselves. I would like to add my thanks and appreciation to Julie Tatol and her 10th grade students. What a marvelous and generous deed they have done. Students helping students … it doesn’t get any better than that! In the same breath, I would like to thank all those Music Fund supporters who contributed to our “rainy day fund” last summer. With everyone working together, F.C.J. has its much needed piano!

Sincerely,

Priscilla Horst