Smithtown Music Teachers receive Grants from the Friends of Music
Yesterday, the Friends of Music of Smithtown presented nearly $4,000 in mini-grants to the Musical Education Departments throughout the School District at the Superintendent’s Conference Day. On November 8th, Friends of Music of Smithtown president Elena Gruber and vice president Gina Barnett presented three mini-grants to help fund various musical education programs at Nesaquake, Accompsett and Smithtown Elementary schools. Each $1300 grant was awarded to fund upcoming productions and clubs.
Nesaquake Middle School music teachers Jennifer Leavy and Rachel Greenblatt received a check for $1,300 that will help pay for an upcoming Drama Club Musical. Lyndsay Payne, a music teacher at Smithtown Elementary School was awarded a mini-grant to help pay for the school’s musical production. Accompsett Elementary School music teacher, Elizabeth Dworkin also received a $1,300 check that will aid in funding a ukulele music project.
The Friends of Music of Smithtown serves as a booster club of sorts, to help in financing the continuing enrichment of the arts at Smithtown School District. The group organizes various fundraising events every year, giving back each dollar to the music programs at every school. The group is comprised of parents, educators, administrators, students and alumni, all committed to supporting and advocating for music education in the Smithtown School District. The Friends of Music not only provides funding for various productions and music programs, they provide scholarships and summer music programs as well.