CENTRAL VALLEY – On Saturday, Oct. 27 at 3 p.m., the Souza Scholarship for the Performing Arts and the Monroe-Woodbury Music Boosters will co-sponsor the 29th annual Monroe-Woodbury Faculty and Friends Recital in the Monroe-Woodbury High School Auditorium.
An annual convergence of music and education, the M-W Music Faculty Recital was established in February 1990 to raise funds to support the Robert W. Souza Scholarship for the Performing Arts, a group formed in 1980 to bestow scholarships in memory of late Monroe-Woodbury music teacher Bob Souza.
Souza ScholarshipRobert W. Souza came to Monroe-Woodbury Middle School in 1966 as an instrumental music teacher. With his rare blend of personality, warmth and dedication to his students and his vocation, Souza was known among faculty and friends as a “teacher’s teacher.” His passing in 1980 prompted the creation of the Souza Scholarship Fund in memory of this very special man.
Since its inception in 1980, the scholarship fund has awarded nearly $200,000 to deserving students from this district in grades six through twelve."
Its other fund-raising activities include theatrical presentations, such as the 2005 production of “Seussical,” 2006’s “Mr. Dickens Reads A Christmas Carol," “Godspell,” “Brigadoon,” “Secret Garden,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “The Wizard of Oz,” as well as more recent summer shows such as “Grease,” “How to Succeed,” Footloose,” “Peter Pan,” and “Hairspray.”
Souza hopes to mount another show this summer.
Scholarship awards, from middle school through high school, are based on other-centered service to school and community and an interest in the performing arts.
Monroe-Woodbury Music BoostersThe M-W Music Boosters was formed in July 1991 to advocate for music education at Monroe-Woodbury. In its 27-year history, Boosters’ dedicated members have made a significant contribution in support of the M-W exceptional music program.
Soon after this group was formed, they began participating in the annual Faculty Recital.
Music Boosters has also established annual music scholarships that are awarded to students in grades 5-12 each spring. The purpose of those scholarships is to encourage and reward student involvement, development, and dedication to the performing arts in the areas of band, chorus, and orchestra.
Boosters have purchased much needed equipment not included in the school budget such as the acoustic shells in both the high school and middle school auditoriums. Funds raised have also provided financial assistance to students for competition trips.
Music Boosters also funds special projects and events involved in the furtherance of musical education and experience for the music students of Monroe-Woodbury.
A cooperative effort Between the two groups, literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships have been awarded over the last 28 years. Money raised through this event will be returned to the community in the form of awards to worthy and talented music performing arts students in Monroe-Woodbury schools, from the elementary to the high school levels.
“Once again this year, I would like to thank the Music Boosters, the Souza Scholarship Committee, District Music Coordinator Chris Taborsky, the M-W Music Faculty, and the school district itself for their ongoing assistance and support of our efforts,” said longtime Souza Chairman Bob Curtis. “It is wonderful that the faculty members who perform give so willingly of their time and talents for this event. As a district, we are indeed lucky to have these multi-faceted musicians training the voices, fingers, hearts, and minds of our district’s promising performing arts students.”
All proceeds from the performance will go directly to the Scholarship Funds of the Souza Foundation and the Monroe-Woodbury Music Boosters.
EssentialsTickets, available at the door, will be $12 for adults and $6 for students and seniors.
Direct any questions to the Music Department at 460-6200, ext. 6202