Our spring 2020 e-newsletter shared the sad news of the passing of faculty emeritus John G. Russell on April 6. Several former students suggested the establishment of an endowment as a lasting tribute to his memory. We are delighted to announce that the minimum $25,000 that was needed has been reached. In order to provide a sufficient annual return to fund scholarships, a revised goal of $50,000 has been set. Scholarships will be given to students majoring in music with an interest in voice, choral music, piano, music theory or composition. Those who remember Russell fondly, were affected by his commitment to teaching, or otherwise benefitted from knowing him, are invited to support this new endowment. Russell was also a published composer and co-founder of the Mozart Festival in 1971 — now Festival Mozaic — so his influence has been far reaching and lasting.
Donations of any amount can be made to the new John G Russell Scholarshp Endowment.