UD MUSICMAN BIRTHDAY BENEFIT BASH!
by Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation
Jen Schoener
Hello to all who support kids, love music, and remember Brad!
This photo was taken in 1995 - the summer I met Brad. After losing him to leiomyosarcoma in 2009, little did I realize what an impact his endless energy would still have on his community and thousands of children.
2020 brought a new reality for the Brad Schoener Memorial Music Fund. While unable to hold our annual Schoener 5K & Festival fundraisers, a partnership of the UDAEF and Upper Darby Township enabled us to offer "Camp Virtual Virtuoso 2020" for four weeks this past summer. We didn't let the music stop!
We face a HUGE challenge to continue these programs in 2021. Your donation ensures that every Upper Darby child has the opportunity to play an instrument and young talent is provided music lesson scholarships. Since 2013, the Schoener MusicMan Academy has provided hundreds of children with unique musical experiences: the MusicMan Camp, Jazz Jam! Camp, Stay in Shape music lessons, Little Stars Childrens' Theater, Community Drumming for Kids, and Hummin'& Strummin' for Seniors!
Brad would be 58 on Sept. 29th. Please make a donation today and honor the legacy of Upper Darby's MusicMan.
Thank you with all my heart,
Jen
Our world may have changed from the way it was a few months ago... but the Schoener Fund's devotion to music education in Upper Darby has NOT! On September 29th, Brad Schoener would have celebrated his 58th Birthday. So since we couldn't hold our annual Schoener 5k or Music Festival this past spring, we thought... what better way to celebrate Brad's influence on the Upper Darby community than with a virtual Birthday Benefit BASH to keep Brad's wishes coming true!
Brad's Mission:
- provide lessons for talented students who may not be able to afford them
- provide instruments for all elementary students who have the desire to learn
- establish a summer music camp for elementary students (MusicMan Academy!)
In the next several weeks, you will see the scope of Brad's influence in virtual fundraisers across the region, led by student & alumni ambassadors of his successful music programs. We hope you will make a donation to keep young musicians active and engaged in the Schoener MusicMan Academy, and help us fund instruments and music scholarships for Upper Darby kids.
The money raised & matched will be combined and calculated for Brad's Big Birthday Present on September 29th! Brad's Birthday Benefit Bash will provide a recap of this year's successful "Virtual Virtuoso" camp, highlight musical performances of Upper Darby artists of all ages, and the final tally of the money we've raised to keep these incredible music programs going for the children of Upper Darby. Join us in celebrating Upper Darby's Music Man by donating now and tune in on the big day - September 29th!