Dear friends,
Friends of Watertown Music was formed in the summer of 2011 in response to severe budget cuts in the Watertown Public Schools music program. Since then, we have raised funds and awarded grants that include salaries to expand teaching positions, teacher initiatives for their classrooms, and instrument needs. By offering partial funding for critical needs in the music program, we create immediate music opportunities for students and provide the Schools a way to incorporate the full cost into the general school budget.
Please consider joining us in our efforts to continue to enrich, sustain, and develop the music program in the Watertown Public Schools. May we include your name in our 4th Annual MusicFest program? We have four donor levels: Soprano (up to $25), Alto ($50), Tenor ($75) and Bass ($100 or more). You can donate with PayPal or any credit card on our website: http://watertownmusic.org/, or checks may be sent to Friends of Watertown Music, 43 Paul St., Watertown, MA 02472
This year we have been pleased to award a $5,863 grant to the WPS music program to ensure that all elementary students receive music education classes with an appropriate student:teacher ratio. This support will help reduce the burden on overextended music teachers throughout the system by adding a new teacher. The Schools are matching our funds in a 2.5 to 1 ratio, creating a 0.4 FTE at the Hosmer School that also includes pre-school and pre-kindergarten music classes.
The Middle School Jazz Band, originally funded by a 2012-13 Friends of Watertown Music grant of $6,800, is now fully integrated into the music program. One of our key goals has been to fund initiatives that are then sustained in the general school budget. We have every expectation that this year’s grant will also function as seed money and allow the cost of the new position to become a permanent part of the music program.
Friends of Watertown Music, Inc., incorporated in 2014, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. All donations are fully tax deductible within the limits of the law.
Thank you for your support,
Friends of Watertown Music