St. Mary’s Bank recently made a $2,000 grant to the Manchester Community Music School (MCMS) to help fund its financial aid program. MCMS will use the gift to provide financial assistance to students participating in many MCMS programs, such as private lessons, music therapy, New Hampshire Youth Ensembles, group classes, early childhood classes and summer camps.
“Students at MCMS not only learn about music, but gain important lifelong skills,” said Suzanne Barr, CEO of MCMS. “It’s just one of the many reasons why our goal is to make music education available to everyone, regardless of financial barriers. We are grateful to St. Mary’s Bank for helping us make that possible.”
Since its founding in 1983, MCMS has awarded nearly $600,000 in scholarships and financial aid to those who would otherwise not be able to participate in the school’s programs. Often, financial awards bridge the gap between the cost of a program and what a family can afford. This year, the school has had an unprecedented number of requests for financial aid.
The Manchester Community Music School enriches the lives of so many and makes an invaluable contribution to Manchester’s cultural landscape,” said Tom Champagne, St. Mary’s Bank Director of Community Outreach. “St. Mary’s Bank is proud to help MCMS bring more members of our community together through music.”
The gift to the Manchester Community Music School was made through St. Mary’s Bank’s Community Outreach Program, which serves the New Hampshire community through loans and grants to specific organizations and charities.
About the Manchester Community Music School
Founded in 1983, the Manchester Community Music School offers instruction and performance opportunities for students of all ages and abilities. The school’s 50 faculty members provide a quality learning environment for over 1,000 students from 65 New Hampshire communities. In addition, the school hosts MCMS concerts and opens its space for performances by many other area arts organizations. For more information, visit www.mcmusicschool.org.