First__Farmers_Philharmonic-web.jpgAbout 35 2012-2013 Mayville State University Music Makers members and their guests attended a party hosted by MSU Foundation Board President Jon Ewen and his wife Betsy Monday evening, July 15, 2013. The event was held to thank the Music Makers for making music happen at Mayville State. The celebration included refreshments, and music was provided by the First & Farmers Philharmonic, a six-member brass ensemble made up of Mayville-Portland musicians Wendel Van Wechel, Mike Bakken, Dennis Peterson, Lowell Domier, Don Langlie, and Tom Moe.

“We had a wonderful time Monday evening, celebrating music at Mayville State and the generous people who are helping to make it happen,” said MSU Director of Development John Klocke. “We are elated that music is back at Mayville State University, and truly grateful to everyone who is assisting in that effort. On behalf of the music scholarship recipients, I say ‘thank you’ to the Music Makers for their support, and to Jon and Betsy, as well as Kim Lauf and Shireen Grinager, for the wonderful hospitality they provided at the party.”

Music Makers is a booster club of music supporters established by the Mayville State University Foundation. Businesses and individuals may become Music Makers with their annual gifts of $100 or more. Through their financial contributions, Music Makers help to make the gift of music available to students who are in pursuit of their academic dreams and goals.

In the 2012-2013 year, 64 individuals and businesses contributed nearly $25,000 through their Music Makers memberships. Another $20,000 was given to music endowments in last year’s Music Makers membership drive.

Funds provided by Music Makers are awarded in the form of scholarships to Mayville State University students who participate in band and/or choir. Currently, all students who participate in music at Mayville State receive scholarships. They range from $200 to $400 per student per year. Another major source for music scholarship funding is the annual Tables du Jour fundraiser held each spring.

Mayville State University offers music participation opportunities in concert choir, concert band, and stage band for all students. In addition, the State Board of Higher Education approved our request for the opportunity to offer a music minor at Mayville State a couple of years ago. As of the fall semester of 2011, the minor is officially being offered. Mike Bakken and Greta Paschke are Mayville State’s music faculty members.

The Music Makers membership drive for 2013-2014 has officially kicked off. Gifts of $100 to $249 qualify donors for membership at the Bass level. The Tenor level includes gifts of $250 to $749, and the Alto level includes gifts of $750 to $999. For a gift of $1,000 to $4,999, a donor becomes a member of Music Makers at the Soprano level. The Conductor level includes gifts of $5,000 to $14,999. A gift of $15,000 or more puts a donor at the Composer level. Gifts at the Composer level fund a named Music Makers scholarship. All contributions are tax deductible. For more information, contact MSU Director of Development John J. Klocke at 701-788-4787 or john.j.klocke@mayvillestate.edu, or go to www.mayvillestate.edu/MusicMakers to join Music Makers online.