Program providing free violin lessons receives local Foundation grant support

Thirty students at Tzouanakis Intermediate School who receive free violin sessions twice each week, look on as Robin and Bryan Gerard present a check to violin teacher Ed Staubach and Assistant Principal Jennifer Rhoades for music and supplies for the growing strings program at the school.

Courtesy photo

Robin and Bryan Gerard recently presented a grant of $1,231 to Tzouanakis Intermediate School Assistant Principal, Jennifer Rhoades, violin teacher Ed Staubach and a classroom of students learning to play the violin.

The grant enables Tzouanakis to purchase music and supplies for the growing strings program at the school.

Sponsored by the DePauw University School of Music with support from the Putnam County Community Foundation, the program provides free violin sessions twice each week to more than 80 fourth- and fifth-grade students.

“Take every opportunity you receive,” Bryan Gerard told the students.

The grant was awarded from the Gerard Family Music Endowment, a donor-advised fund administered by the Putnam County Community Foundation.

In June 2012, the Gerards sold their family seed business, and used a portion of the proceeds to establish the endowment. Previous grants awarded enabled students with financial need to receive music lessons.

In addition to thanking the Gerards, violin teacher Staubach, expressed his appreciation for the “kind cooperation of the Tzouanakis staff and teachers,” which enables the strings program to be successful.

Elaine Peck, executive director of the Putnam County Community Foundation, emphasized how fortunate the citizens of Putnam County are to have DePauw as a neighbor.

The Putnam County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1985 to help donors establish endowments, award grants and provide leadership, enriching the quality of life and strengthening community in Putnam County. The Foundation has been entrusted with more than 280 funds and endowments for donors, supporting all types of charitable purposes.