This Committee shall select the recipient of this award from among musicians within the Suwannee district who have made outstanding contributions to music. The Committee shall arrange for the preparation of a suitable certificate for presentation at the annual meeting of the Foundation and inscription on the Musician of the Year plaque at the Thomas Center. The Committee shall also arrange for speakers at the presentation recital.

Betsy Schnell Piano Award

This Committee shall be responsible for the holding of auditions for this award, securing of adjudicators, collection of application fees, organization of a winners’ recital at the annual meeting, preparation of award certificates, and all other necessary arrangements. A High School and Middle School award will be given.

Dorothy Reaves String Award

This Committee shall be responsible for administering the Dorothy Reaves Scholarship program in accordance with the request of Dorothy Davis Reaves dated February 8, 1991. The Committee shall organize a String Honors Recital, reserving dates, paying fees, and making all related arrangements. First and second place awards will be given.

Sarah Baird Fouse Woodwind Award

This Committee shall be responsible for the holding of auditions for this award, securing of adjudicators, collection of applications, organization of a winner’s recital at the annual meeting, preparation of award certificates, and all other necessary arrangements. First and second place winners will be given awards.

William Dishman Brass Award

This Committee shall be responsible for the holding of auditions for this award, securing of adjudicators, collection of applications, organization of a winner’s recital at the annual meeting, preparation of award certificates, and all other necessary arrangements. First and second place winners will be given awards.

Stellar Students Concert

This Committee shall be responsible for the presentation of a Stellar Students Recital. The arrangements will include scheduling and payments of fees, timely announcement of dates, and all other related arrangements.

Stellar Winds and Percussion Recital

This Committee shall be responsible for the presentation of a Stellar Winds Recital, featuring Suwannee District School band members. The arrangements will include scheduling and payments of fees, timely announcement of dates, and all other related arrangements.

Publicity

The Publicity Committee shall assist the Officers and Committee Chairpersons in publicizing events sponsored by the Foundation. The Committee will also plan and prepare all materials for distribution at concerts or for mailing and/or emailing to prospective members. They will maintain the social media posts and prepare announcements for the newspaper.

Hospitality

This Committee shall make all arrangements for refreshments to be served at receptions held in connection with the concerts and recitals sponsored by the Foundation.

FPM Piano Sonata/Sonatina Festival

This Committee shall be responsible for the holding of piano auditions for the festival, securing of adjudicators, collection of application fees, organization of a winners’ recital, preparation of awards and all other necessary arrangements.

Guest Artist Recital

This Committee shall be responsible for contacting guest artist participants and scheduling guest artist recitals.

Past Presidents

1973-1975 Bernice Hack*
1975-1976 Helen Jones*
1976-1977 Anne Little
1977-1979 Willis Bodine
1979-1981 S. deR Diettrich*
1981-1982 Arnold Wirtala
1982-1983 Thomas Hart*
1983 Gloria Keister
1983-1985 Elinor Bailey*
1985-1987 Bernice Hack*
1987-1988 Maureen Anderson

1988-1990 Delma Nelson*
1991-1993 Eloise Lewis
1993-1994 John Amott*
1994-1997 Lauraine Seager
1997-2002 Glen Smerage
2002-2005 Betsy Wade
2005-2006 Glen Smerage
2006-2009 Claudia Brill
2009-2011 Sarah Fouse*
2011-2015 Cheryl Poe
2015-present Linda Blessing

*deceased