fundraiser

ARIAS FOR TENORS
VOLUME TWO
with SPECIAL
INSCRIPTIONS

NECKLACE
AND
EARRINGS

The Anthony Kearns Music Fund congratulates the following contributors whose
names were chosen in the December 31, 2003 drawing for the prizes below:

The Music Fund is "Off to the Opera" with hopes of raising $7,500 for vocal scholarships. We hope you will join us! While no "admission ticket" is required, a contribution would be graciously accepted and very much appreciated! The Music Fund is permitted to offer up to three scholarships a year (in amounts up to $2,500) which can be used for music lessons, tuition payments or participation fees at the conservatory level. These scholarships are available to Irish born citizens in need of financial assistance, who demonstrate musical abilities, and are committed to pursuing vocal studies.

Yes, the $7,500 goal is ambitious, but we are optimistic that the Music Fund's new tax-exempt status will generate an increase in both our donor base and in the dollar amount of each gift. Because he is so keen on this fundraiser, and because he wants this campaign to set off on a proper footing, Anthony Kearns has already contributed $1,000. Additionally, an "Honor Roll" has been established whereby donors have the opportunity to join Anthony in leadership giving. The "Honor Roll" is three-tiered… "Platinum Circle" ($1,000), "Gold Circle" ($500) and "Silver Circle" ($250)…and is displayed under the "Honor Roll" button below. Your name will be added to the list when your donation is received, unless, of course, you choose to participate anonymously.

Much like last year's fundraiser, there will be a drawing for some very special prizes at the conclusion of this campaign which ends December 31, 2003. No matter the amount of your donation, your participation will automatically make you eligible for the drawing. Four very generous people have given opera-related items, all of which are pictured below, to help ensure the drive's success. The Music Fund thanks "Chace and Abbott" jewelers for the pearl necklace and earrings, Maryanna Fournier for the Zhumell Covent Opera Glasses, Renee Jain of "Pashmina Group, Inc." for the pink shawl, and Anthony Kearns for his personal copy of "Arias for Tenors, Volume II, Shirmer's Singer's Library". The songbook has a lovely inscription written to Anthony by Veronica Dunne. A second inscription, written by Anthony, praises his legendary voice teacher and congratulates the new owner (to be chosen on December 31) of the songbook.

Due to IRS regulations, if you are included in the drawing, the amount of your donation that you will be able to deduct from your federal taxes for 2003 will be reduced by $79.00. We are therefore offering you the option to exclude yourself from the drawing in order to be able to deduct the full amount of your donation from your 2003 federal taxes. Should you wish to exclude yourself from the drawing, please include a note with your donation letting us know that you do not want to participate in the drawing.

As the holiday season approaches, many wonderful traditions come to mind, not the least of which is the glorious music making that takes place all around the globe. Be it the whimsical "Winter Wonderland", the sacred "Pie Jesu", or the majestic "Hallelujah Chorus", there is no denying that music makes the world a better place. By supporting the Anthony Kearns Music Fund, you will be helping today's young musicians carry that great tradition of music into tomorrow. Please consider doing your gift giving early by sending your contribution today. Donations should be sent to:

ANTHONY KEARNS MUSIC FUND
19100 SHAKER BOULEVARD
SHAKER HEIGHTS, OHIO 44122 U.S.A.

Please make checks payable to: ANTHONY KEARNS MUSIC FUND and indicate that your donation is for "Off to the Opera".

Wishing you and yours a Happy and Blessed Holiday Season,

Board of Directors, The Anthony Kearns Music Fund
Barbara H. Gordon
Priscilla C. Horst
Eileen Martin
Edward A. Mearns, Jr.
Emily Tidball

From November 18, 2003 to December 31, 2003, a lot of enthusiastic Anthony Kearns Music Fund supporters were "Off to the Opera", intent on raising $7,500 for Irish born, conservatory-level voice students who demonstrate musical abilities, are committed to pursuing vocal studies and are in need of financial assistance. The goal was a lofty one, but it was met, and then some. Final tally: $7,575.61. What a brilliant success!

Achieving this goal allows the Music Fund to provide up to $2,500 to each of three qualifying students this year to pay for tuition, lessons or participation fees for vocal studies, with unused money being available for awards in subsequent years. At this writing, details of the selection process are being fine tuned, but the following is already in place:

* The top colleges/conservatories and private opera studios in Ireland will be notified of the availability of this assistance.

* A three member panel of professionals in the music field will review the applications and make recommendations to the Board of Directors of the Music Fund, which then makes the final determination to whom to award the assistance.

* Awards will be made as soon after the May 13, 2004 application deadline as practicable.

Because of the Music Fund's new tax-exempt status, donors were given the opportunity to join a newly established "Honor Roll of Leadership Giving". This new leadership category generated $5,500 of the $7,575.61 total. The remaining $2,075.61 represents the individual gifts of 39 donors.

Donors also had the option to participate in a prize drawing that took place on December 31, 2003. Congratulations to the following winners:

Berta Calechman - Zhumell Opera Glasses

The wonderful success of this fundraiser could not have happened without the help of a bevy of talented, hardworking, and generous people. With no regard to priority, the Music Fund thanks: Lori Herter, Max Kaplan, and Maryanna Fournier for championing our cause on the various internet fan sites; Lynnette Crouse and Gail Hebert for waving our banner on their internet websites; Berta Calechman for making phone calls to gently inquire of people about making a donation; and "Chace and Abbott", Maryanna Fournier, Renee Jain of "Pashmina Group, Inc." and Anthony Kearns for donating items for the prize drawing. Special mention for the most unique fundraising effort goes to teacher Julie Tatol and her 10th grade performing arts class members who raised an astounding $1,500 in less than two weeks (click on the link below to read Julie's fundraising story ).

A final message of thanks to all of you generous donors. Without you, our mission would be nothing more than empty words and unfulfilled hopes. Instead, by way of your generosity, some deserving voice students have the promise of some much needed funding that will assist them as they pursue their dreams of an opera career.

go raibh maith agaibh ! (Thank you),

Priscilla Horst
Executive Director
January 13, 2004

P.S. On January 16, 2004, after his solo concert at the the Church of Christian Liberty in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Anthony was presented with a $250.00 check (in lieu of flowers) for the "Off to the Opera" fundraiser. That brings the final tally to $7,825.61.

Lavonne McClish - "Arias for Tenors" songbook, personal copy of Anthony Kearns

(Photo link at the end of Summary Report)

Off to the Opera Background

Anthony J. Kearns
Anonymous
A Very Special 10th Grade Class in Florida ($1,500)

Karen Randall
Anonymous

Anonymous
Lynnette Crouse
Anonymous
Anonymous
Church of Christian Liberty

(Photo link at the end of Summary Report)

Marie Collins - Pearl Necklace and Earrings
Jenny Spangler - Pink Pashmina Shawl