Education Outreach

In-School Music Program

“Who knows how a violin sounds?”… Many children raise their hands and are delighted as the bow sounds on the strings… “Who knows the name of this instrument?”…

These are the types of questions that spark the imagination of over 5,000 public elementary school students in Weston each semester. The Weston Music Society is committed to bringing music to the schools and has sponsored the participation of the Symphony of the Americas, percussionist William Stewart and others.

Each semester the students have the opportunity to enjoy an educational and entertaining concert. We have introduced the four main sections of the orchestra at various times so that fine music has reached 10,000 -12,000 children each year. Our students have been enchanted as each instrument has been introduced individually and then ensemble, so the children can hear how the instrument sound in a symphonic context.

The presence of the ensembles and talented performers in the schools provides a unique moment for the students to participate directly with the musicians. The Weston Music Society brings these wonderful concerts to Weston’s public elementary schools completely free of charge and has fostered music appreciation and enrichment for all.

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

We as a group have been reflective upon our twenty years as an organization. Our mission is to educate students in the elementary schools about music and grant scholarships to our high school seniors who are seeking to continue their studies in music. We wanted to explore the impact that our scholarships have had in the lives of our young people. We asked our scholarship recipients to tell us what their scholarship meant to each of them. We are sharing those stories with you. We want to continue our mission and as always we need your support.

Receiving this scholarship has served as both a reward and motivation for me. After many years of being in both the band and choir programs at my school, I believe this scholarship is a representation of my efforts in my musical life, and serves as a reward. In addition, this scholarship will continue to impact and motivate me as I take on my next musical journey, as a music education major! I feel entirely blessed and honored to have been a recipient of this scholarship. Thank you so much again for everything

I appreciate the honor that was bestowed on me by the Weston Philharmonic Society. I am grateful that this group has recognized my talents and believed in me. I will make sure not to disappoint them in college.

I would like to thank the Weston Music Society so much for awarding me with this scholarship. I am extremely grateful since this award allows me to pursue my goals. Now that I start my journey at the University of Miami, I am excited about all the opportunities my future holds. I plan to follow a pre-med track while pursuing a minor in music performance and joining the university's concert ensembles. I would also like to study abroad one semester and hope to join organizations that make a difference in the lives of others. All of this I can dream thanks to your help, so I am very grateful. People like you in the Weston Music Society encourage young musicians like me to continue an education in music for as long as possible, regardless of what the expectations are. This scholarship motivates me to continue growing my love for music in college which is something that completes me as a person, and that, to me, is priceless. Thank you again for your help!

My name is Shelbie Rassler and I am an 18 year old classical composer from Weston, Florida. I am honored to be a recipient of the Weston Philharmonic Scholarship as it will help and inspire the progression of my musical journey in life. This Scholarship means the world to me as my life revolves around my passion for music, particularly classical music. I feel so honored to have support from my hometown community, especially the Weston Philharmonic as some of my fondest memories include attending the various concerts with my family. I plan to pursue a Bachelor in Music in Composition at The Boston Conservatory in the Fall and am delighted that the scholarship is going towards helping me achieve the goal that I have been working towards my entire life.

Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity!

Winning this scholarship was a real honor for me. Getting recognized in my hometown for something I am very passionate about, creating music and sharing my love with others, is priceless because it is home. Beyond that, getting honored at the same level as the other girls, who are all remarkable musicians helped boost my confidence in what I can do, and what I can do for and with others through the magic of music. I also appreciate the prize because it will help me pay for my dream school and that in itself is more than I could ever hope to worthy of.

When I first heard that I passed my audition and made it into Stetson University's School of Music I was excited but also frightened beyond belief. I didn't know what to expect from a private university, let alone a school of music. Anxious thoughts flashed through my head, "Will I be able to find a career after college, am I good enough, is it worth following my dream?" Having the courage to follow what you love is something that is lost by many students today. However, the trust of my band director and Weston Music Scholarship motivated me to find the strength. It was a great honor to be chosen and was my first step towards my music career in college. I'll never be able to fully thank the Weston Philharmonic Scholarship. I hope they can support many more young musicians.

It was an honor to be one of the recipients of the Weston Music Society Annual Scholarship of 2015. The scholarship was useful to aid with college expenses, but more importantly, it served as reassurance that music was the right path to follow as a career for me. Since only a few students are chosen as recipients of the scholarship, this meant that my band director believed in my potential to excel as a musician, and thus the reason he nominated me. I'm thankful for this recognition by a society which promotes music in the city of Weston and encourages other students in following their music career in the way it encouraged me.

We are embarking on our annual membership season for the 2016-2017 calendar year. We are offering you the opportunity to participate in our new scholarship category for membership. You will have the honor of a scholarship given in your name, coupled with a family membership, as well as being listed in all of our promotional materials for the 2016-2017 membership season. The scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors from Cypress Bay and Western High Schools in May 2017.

We need your continued support and would appreciate if you would be able to contribute to our scholarship category. The fee is $250 and we will match your donation for a total of $500. You may send a check to the following address: P.O. Box 268354, Weston, Florida 33326. Please include your address, phone number and an email address with your check. As a supporter of our organization, your donation is a tax-deductible contribution.

Thank you for your continued support of the Weston Philharmonic Society.

Regards,
Andrea Burghardt Stienstra & Louis Marett
Co-Presidents