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Giving Update

We are pleased to share the impact of the following recent and future gifts to benefit the students and programs of the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

Presidential Challenge for Student Global Experience has been extended

With the extension of the University of Michigan’s Donor Challenge Program for Student Global Experience through December 31, 2011 or when the matching funds run out (whichever come first), you still have time to leverage your gift and support this critical program for the SMTD. There are two components to this challenge: (1) provide scholarship support for students who want to study abroad for a semester, or (2) provide scholarship support for international students who want to come to the University of Michigan for a degree program. President Coleman’s challenge provides a 1 for 2 match for endowment gifts of $25K or more, pledged over a maximum of five years. This means your gift of $30,000 becomes $45,000 or your gift of $300,000 becomes $450,000.

Support to enhance Michigan’s tradition of great choral music

William (BS ’50, MS ’52) and Delores Brehm recently made a three-prong gift to support choral music by establishing the Brehm Fellowship to support a master’s student in choral conducting, the Brehm Prize in Choral Composition to encourage the composition of choral works by SMTD students and the Brehm Commission to support the commissioning of new choral works from established composers and premiered by SMTD choirs.

Gifts for Scholarship Support

Building scholarship dollars to help support students in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance remains a top priority for SMTD leadership. We are grateful for the many alumni and friends who help us to build resources for future generations of talented students.

The School received the final distribution from the Gay Ann Delanghe (BS ’62, MA ’65) Trust to the Delanghe Endowment Fund created to support student scholarships and programmatic activities of the department of dance.

Verne (BA ’62, MBA ’63) and Judy (BA ’62) Istock made a gift to enhance the Judith A. Istock Scholarship, an endowed fund created to provide support for students in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

Gifts from SMTD alumni, faculty and friends helped to fully endow a new scholarship to honor faculty member Michele Johns’ tremendous commitment to teaching church music. The Michele Johns Scholarship will provide scholarship support for organists majoring in church music.

Marilyn Mason (BM ’46, MM ‘47) recently established a scholarship in memory of the renowned string educator John D. Kendall, who half a century ago helped revitalize string playing in the United States by introducing Americans to the Suzuki method. The John D. Kendall Endowed Scholarship will provide support for string students at SMTD in perpetuity.

The School also received two new bequest intentions for student support from: Donald V. D’Angelo (MM ’63), to add to the School of Music, Theatre & Dance Scholarship Fund; and James Kershner, to provide scholarships for musical theatre students.

Gifts for Facilities and Programmatic needs

There are many ways to enhance the excellence of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance and match your passion for all that the School provides to the University, wider communities, and global environment.

The School recently received an estate gift from Louise Hill, to be added to the Hill Auditorium Fund. This fund helps ensure the maintenance and renovation of this historic venue.

The Men’s Glee Club received three important gifts to help meet its needs: Christine (BA ’86) and Anthony (BS ’85) Alcantara established a named scholarship for students in the MGC who need help with tuition and/or additional educational fees; the Pfund Polakoff Family Trust made a gift for discretionary support; and James (BBA ’75) and Stephanie (BBA ’76) Walter accepted the current U-M Donor Challenge to establish the Jim and Stephanie Walter Endowment Fund for Cultural Experiences in order to help the Men’s Glee Club take part in extra cultural experiences while on international tours.

The following alumni, parents and friends have chosen to enhance the SMTD Global Tour Fund, first created by alumni of the 1961 University Symphony Band Russian Tour Band (see Fall 2010 Issue for a listing of initial donors). This fund will provide resources for future tours by School of Music, Theatre & Dance ensembles. Gifts of $1,000 or more to the fund qualify for the current U-M Donor Challenge:

Richard and Jane Alder

Lillian Stevens Armstrong

Donald V. D’Angelo

George Donoian

David G. Elliott

Janet Ann Evans

Fred and Susan Heath

Philip and Jane King

Richard A. Kruse

Michael L. Mark

Ruth and Charles Martin

Gary and Michelina Olmstead

Katherine and Donald Remsen

Shearwater Grant

Please call the Office of Development & External Relations at 734-764-4453 if you have any questions or would like to explore giving opportunities.