“The fact that children can make beautiful music is less significant than the fact that music can make beautiful children.” Cheryl Lavender
Music is the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (EIN: 46-5045403) established to fund music programs in area schools and the community and is supported by a variety of private and corporate donations.
Announcing the Linda Hess Memorial Fund
Linda Hess was an important member of the Lansing Area ukulele community as one of the East Lansing Senior Center’s Prime Time Strummers and in other informal ukulele groups in the community. She was kind, encouraging, and helpful to new students; helping them navigate through chord changes and other challenges playing the instrument. Linda’s creativity and positive spirit shone through in her clever rewrite of “You Are My Sunshine”, which she correctly felt was a depressing song, despite its cheery chorus. She touched many more people across the ukulele community than she could possibly know.
Linda passed away on September 5, 2022 after a six-week battle with an aggressive form of cancer, just weeks after performing with the PT Strummers at Mighty Uke Day 13 (pictured above in the pink hat). She left behind her loving husband Hugh and daughters Melissa and Meredith, their husbands Tim and Trevor, and four grandchildren, Alexander, Nicholas, Nina and Matthew, as well as many grateful ukulele friends.
Hugh Hess asked that Music is the Foundation establish a memorial fund in Linda’s honor to further spread the joy she found through the ukulele through funding of programs in the area. Funds collected will be used to purchase instruments, songbooks, scholarships, and instruction for a variety of ukulele educational experiences. Any size donation is welcomed, and you can leave a personal note about Linda on the donation form if you wish.
If you wish to send a check or money order, please make it out to Music is the Foundation and mail to:
749 Cleo Street
Lansing, MI 48915
(make a note in the comment that it’s for the Linda Hess Memorial Fund)
MUSIC IS THE FOUNDATION UPDATE FOR 2022
It’s been a challenging couple of years for many of us, with in-person classes and workshops at schools, libraries, and other community facilities severely curtailed by pandemic restrictions. During this time, Music is the Foundation has invested in technology to help us spread the joy of music virtually through Zoom and other methods. We are now pursuing new opportunities in area classrooms and communities; some of our upcoming ventures include:
• The Jungle Book Kids Musical Theater: Fall 2021
• Family Ukulele Classes at Bath Township Public Library: Fall 2021 and continuing
• Family Ukulele Classes at Grand Ledge Area Public Libraries: Spring 2022 and continuing
• Further outreach to a variety of libraries, schools, and community centers including East Lansing Public Library, Orion Township Public Library, and others.
We are looking at this fall and 2022 as being a bit of a reboot for our programs, blending face-to-face instruction with connecting virtually. Stay tuned, it’s going to be an exciting learning adventure!
Programs MITF helped support in 2014 – 2017 include:
Ukulele for the Classroom Teacher, Holt (MI) School District
Student ukulele programs in Lansing (MI) School District:
Attwood Elementary, Mt. Hope STEAM, Foster Community Center, Sheridan Road Elementary
Major Chords for Minors youth music programs, Saginaw (MI)
Student ukulele program, Grand Ledge (MI) School District
A+ International Ukulele Orchestra, A+ English School in East Lansing (MI)
Special Education music programs at Clinton County (MI) RESA
Special Education music programs at Eaton County (MI) RESA
Prime Time Strummers seniors ukulele programs, East Lansing (MI)
Guitars in the Classroom, Lansing (MI) School District, Holt (MI) School District
Student ukulele program at Highland Community School District, Washington County (IA)
Guitars for Kids, Clarkston (MI)
Great Lakes Folk Festival (MI)
Building Bridges with Music (MI)
Justice in Mental Health Drop-in Center Lansing (MI)
Head Start Lansing (MI) in conjunction with Sigh Studio of Music
East Lansing (MI) Public Library ukulele lending program
New Programs Starting in 2018 – 19
“Ukulele Paint & Play” REACH Art Center Lansing (MI)
Angel House Lansing (MI)
Peter White Public Library (Marquette, MI) ukulele lending program
Carnegie Public Library (Ishpeming, MI) ukulele lending program
Capital Area District Libraries (various locations in Mid-Michigan) ukulele lending program
Great Lakes Recovery program for teens and adults (Negaunee.Marquette, MI)
Marquette Alternative High School (Marquette, MI)
Mather Elementary School (Munising, MI)
East Lansing Public Library Teen Classes (East Lansing, MI)
Hiawatha Music Co-Op (Marquette, MI)
Indian Creek Elementary School (Chatham, ONT)
DeWitt Public Library (DeWitt, MI)
Jackson District Library (Jackson, MI)
Delta Township Public Library (Delta Township, MI)
Donors include:
Personal Donations
We also have been honored to accept donations from a variety of individuals, many of who wish to remain anonymous. You may make a donation (talk to your tax preparer to determine how it applies to your return)
Online:
By Mail:
Music is the Foundation
1106 N. Cedar Street
Suite 7
Lansing, MI 48912
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