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The ASCAP Foundation receives hundreds of thank you letters from beneficiary organizations and individual scholarship and award recipients participating in ASCAP Foundation supported programs across the country. Here are a few highlights:
Lovewell Institute for the Creative Arts, in Fort Lauderdale, FL: Teen Theatre Program
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| Students attending the Lovewell Institute for The Creative Arts Teen Theatre Program perform their original musical. |
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend Lovewell again. It has helped me become the person I am today. If Lovewell was not a part of my life, I don’t know where or who I would be right now. I plan on becoming a professional music composer and Lovewell is helping me achieve that goal more than anything else in my life.”
Spencer – High School Student
“It is the most amazing feeling in the world to be standing on a stage with 40 other people who have all helped create this giant beautiful piece of art that is our original musical. I am extremely grateful for what The ASCAP Foundation has done for me and the other people who attended Lovewell this summer because of you.”
Megan - High School Student
Fifth graders from the Rio Vista Elementary School in North Hollywood, CA:
Education Through Music – LA Music Education Program:
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| ASCAP member Amanda Johnson (l) teaches music & songwriting to fifth graders at the Rio Vista Elementary School in North Hollywood, CA. |
"I love music because it lets me express myself. I'm always looking forward to Friday, my music class day. It has motivated me to want to come to school."
Allison - 5th grade
"I love the music in our school. It is so fun to learn how to play different songs. I have been in guitar for 2 years and I plan to play for years to come."
Kaylena - 5th grade
"I have practiced the guitar for two years ever since ETM-LA came to our school. I had the most amazing time! Now I am a pro at playing the guitar! Some people say that music is related to math. I understand that now."
Gillian - 5th grade
The Rock 'n Roll Programs for Girls and Young Women at the IMA in Goshen, MA: The ASCAP Foundation Scholars Program
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| Participants in The ASCAP Foundation Scholars Program at the Rock ‘n Roll Programs for Girls and Young Women at the IMA |
“I am an aspiring singer/songwriter. I have never been very confident in my songwriting however, after attending Rock ‘n Roll Programs for Girls and Young Women at the IMA and its incredible master classes it has encouraged and shown me how to improve and excel as a young female songwriter. I am grateful for the scholarships The ASCAP Foundation has provided in the past for myself and other songwriters.”
Ilana – High School Student
“As the recipient of your scholarship I want to thank you for the opportunity you gave me to attend the Rock ‘n Roll Programs for Girls and Young Women at the IMA. As a songwriter this scholarship gave me the incredible experience of focusing on my music for 10 days without interruptions or distractions, a luxury that I had only dreamed of. My music is one of the most important things in my life and my time at the camp inspired me to share my songs with a wider audience than ever before. I learned so much while I was there about music, and about myself as a songwriter. Thank you for your generosity, I am sincerely grateful to have had such a valuable experience.”
Erica – High School Student
The ASCAP Foundation Henry Mancini Music Fellowship at The University of Miami Frost School of Music:
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| ASCAP Foundation board member, Ginny Mancini presenting The Henry Mancini Music Fellowship Award to Stephen Wheeler. |
“I wanted to thank you for the generous ASCAP Foundation Henry Mancini Music Fellowship that has allowed me the opportunity to acquire a Master’s of Music degree. I know the skills I have learned in the past two years will be invaluable in the near future. Your generous Fellowship has let me study with some of the best teachers in music at the Frost School of Music.”
Stephen Wheeler – Frost School of Music, University of Miami
Sixth graders from P.S. 115, the Alexander Humboldt School in New York, NY: The ASCAP Foundation Children Will Listen Program:
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| Mr. Write: Lin-Manuel Miranda autographs students’ posters. |
“Thanks for giving us tickets to see the Broadway production of In The Heights. It was such an honor that you gave us those tickets. Lin-Manuel Miranda was a great performer and I loved the CD.”
Jessica - 6th grade
“I appreciate all you guys did for me, especially the tickets, the way you performed for us in our school, the CDs and the discussions. I hope there is a second In The Heights. I won’t ever forget a show like that. It was very realistic.”
Natalia – 6th grade
“Thank you for inviting P.S. 115 to watch In the Heights. Also thanks for the buses, CD’s, tickets, assemblies and discussions. I loved it! You rock ASCAP Foundation.”
Emely – 6th grade
The Walden School Summer Music Camp & Festival for the Performing Arts in Dublin, NH: The ASCAP Foundation Irving Berlin Summer Music Camp Scholarship
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| Students attending The Walden School Summer Music Camp & Festival in New Hampshire prepare for their performance. |
“When I think back to my years in high school, I first think of my summers at Walden. I have learned that is possible for anyone to compose if that is what they want to do and that there is much more to musicianship than most people think. If I hadn’t gone to Walden I don’t think I would be studying music right now. In fact, right now, music is the only think I am sure I want to major in. The ASCAP Foundation Irving Berlin Summer Camp Scholarship and Walden have given me the push I needed to feel confident that I can continue with music.”
Ilana Rainero-de Haan, 20
“During my time at Walden I gained a deeper sense of appreciation for music in general, and a more honed understanding for its technical inner working. I was never presented with a single exercise that wasn’t interesting. Thank you so much for helping me to achieve all my musical goals and ambitions this summer. I am a better musician and person because of my experiences at The Walden School, and your support made that possible.”
Joshua Clampitt, 20
Music Conservatory of Westchester Music Therapy Institute, Eastchester, NY: The ASCAP Foundation Barbara & John LoFrumento Award
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| Lisa Sandagata, Director of Outreach Services at the Music Therapy Institute in Eastchester, NY works with a student. |
“I am writing with great appreciation for the music grant that was awarded by your Foundation to the students with disabilities at the Eastchester UFSD. I have been able to visit the program and it has been so very well received by students, staff and parents. Learning these skills is very valuable to our students with disabilities. It is heartwarming to see how happy and excited they are by this program.”
Noreen Urso, Pupil Personnel Services, UFSD
Intercultural Family Services in Philadelphia, PA: Music & Mentorship Aspiring Composers Program
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| Students in the Music and Mentorship Aspiring Composers Project practice their original songs. |
“The Music and Mentorship Aspiring Composers Program is a place to me that is almost like home. I have been going to this program since I was 9 and now I am 17. It's a place where you can learn to read and write music and along the way make new friends that come from versatile backgrounds. You learn so much more than a dance or a Mozart piece of music, but you learn how to overcome fears such as stage freight or shyness. The teachers at these Saturday classes are also helpful because they give you the drive to learn something new and the ability to challenge yourself.”
Sonya, 17
“The Music and Mentorship project opened the door for me to write my first song and spend some time away from home with kids who were just as into music as me.”
Marquise, 14
“I was very nervous but really excited to record one of my own songs in a real recording studio. It was an awesome experience!”
Sarai, 11
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