MSU President's Column for Traill County Tribune

 March 30, 2013

 

Music Makers membership provides critical support for music at Mayville State

 

Mayville State University offers music participation opportunities in concert choir, concert band, and stage band for all students. A music club for students is in its second year. 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.

Bringing music back to the campus has been a long-time thrust. The Mayville State music department had been greatly curtailed due to budget cuts in the early 1990s. We are thrilled that the hallways and corridors at the Mayville State Classroom Building are now alive with the sound of music!

More students participate in music at Mayville State than any other activity, with the exception of football. Increasing enrollment is the key to the future success of Mayville State University. Music participation is seen as an important component in Mayville State’s strategic enrollment management plans. Providing opportunities for involvement is not only an important aspect of recruiting students for Mayville State, but also for retaining them. Music is a great way to get students involved, and music students are generally good students who greatly enhance campus life.

Currently, all students who participate in music at Mayville State receive scholarships. The scholarships range from $200 to $400 per student per year. Funding sources include private donations and the annual Tables du Jour event.

To help ensure that we may continue to offer these scholarships and grow the number of students who attend Mayville State and participate in band and/or choir, the MSU Foundation has established a booster club of music supporters. The organization is called Music Makers. Businesses and individuals may become Music Makers with their annual gifts of $100 or more. Music Makers help to make the gift of music available to students who are in pursuit of their dreams and goals.

The Music Makers membership drive for 2013-2014 will officially kick off July 1. 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.

The music department has already had a busy year, and there is more to come. The traditional homecoming concert was held last fall. To celebrate the holidays, the department held their annual Christmas concert, and a pops concert was held earlier this month. Mark your calendar. The music department spring concert is scheduled for Sunday, May 5 at 2:00 p.m. in the MSU Classroom Building Auditorium. The music department has grown tremendously over the last several years. I encourage you to attend a concert to see and hear the great things that are going on in the area of music at Mayville State.

A fund-raising event to benefit music at Mayville State is just around the corner. Tables du Jour will be held Saturday, April 20 at the MSU Campus Center. Tables du Jour, or “tables of the day,” will feature 34 tables, each adorned in its own theme. After a time of viewing the tables, guests will be treated to a delicious brunch. A silent auction is also a big part of the event. If you haven’t already experienced Tables du Jour for yourself, I assure you that it will be a morning of fun, wonderful entertainment, great food, and creative table themes. Each year, table hostesses and designers are encouraged to think outside the box, and they continue to exceed expectations year after year. If you’re interested in attending, please contact Kim Lauf at 701-788-4271. A preview event for Tables du Jour will be held Friday evening, April 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The public is invited to come in and view the fabulously decorated tables while enjoying refreshments. Advance tickets are not required. There will be a charge of $10.00 per person at the door. Gather your friends and come to Mayville State for an evening of pure enjoyment!

Music speaks a universal language, and provides a legacy that all can enjoy. The benefits of having music at Mayville State are multi-faceted. Thank you to Mike Bakken and Greta Pashke for the time and energy they have dedicated to make music a success story once again. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the many people who have supported the music department through their monetary gifts, as well as their time and talents.