Rhiana Kohl
Students play at the fourth annual Watertown MusicFest.
The Friends of Watertown Music (FoWM) presents its 6th annual MusicFest fundraiser, Friday, March 31, 5:30-9:30 p.m., at the Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverly Avenue, Watertown, MA.
The event features over fifty performances by musicians by students, community members, and professional musicians, and an instrument petting zoo. Proceeds benefit the music program of the Watertown Public Schools. Suggested donations are $8/person and $25/family. T-shirts and other merchandise, pizza, and baked goods will also be on sale.
“MusicFest is a lively, vibrant evening of music for the whole community,” says FoWM Vice-President Chris Lowry. “With performances on four stages, you can enjoy classical, jazz, rock, folk, and more. It’s a great opportunity to experience the distinctive quality of live music close to home. For younger children, we have an instrument petting zoo from 5:30-7:00 p.m. where they can try out instruments themselves.”
The FoWM was formed by Watertown parents in 2011 in the wake of school budget constraints. To date, the nonprofit has raised over $35,000 in individual donations and organizational grants.
“We are extremely proud that our funds have contributed toward increased teaching for adaptive music, middle school jazz band, and instrument instruction,” says Lowry. “Now, for the first time, all of our elementary students have equal access and instruction on all of the instruments offered in the school music program.”
“We’re so lucky in Watertown to have an instrumental music program available free to all of our students,” says Alice Holt, another FoWM Board Member. "Playing an instrument has been shown to improve cognitive abilities, instill self-discipline, and teach teamwork skills.” Holt adds, “Our goal is to make sure all of our students have the opportunity to learn and play for years to come, and MusicFest is all about celebrating music in Watertown.”
The Friends of Watertown Music is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to sustain and develop the music programs in Watertown Public Schools. All donations are fully tax deductible within the limits of the law. For more information or to register to perform, please go to www.watertownmusic.org.