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Opportunity for Folk Music Lessons

In an effort to encourage the next generation of folk musicians, the Madison Folk Music Society has established The Helen Schneyer Memorial Scholarship to fund folk music lessons of the applicant’s choice.  Two scholarships of $300 in lessons per year will be awarded annually, to be paid directly to the folk music instructor of choice.  Budding folk musicians of all ages are encouraged to apply.

The scholarship is named in honor of the late great folk singer Helen Schneyer, who has played memorable house concerts in Madison at the home of her sister, Madfolk member Mona Wasow.  Upon Helen’s death on July 16, 2005 in Vermont, Mona’s colleagues from the U.W. School of Social Work took up a collection in her honor, which Mona contributed to the Madison Folk Music Society.  The funds were initially used to bring Ed Trickett to Madison for a Spring, 2006 Memorial concert, at which contributions were added for an additional memorial.

Helen Schneyer was known for her renditions of lugubrious ballads, work songs, African American spirituals and Baptist hymns, which she sang, among other places, on Prairie Home Companion, at the White House at the request of Eleanor Roosevelt, and in Mona Wasow’s living room.  She shared the stage with many of America’s best-known folk singers and songwriters, including Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, who urged her at an early age to sing.

 

To apply: A simple application form can be downloaded from the Madfolk web site (see links above) or by writing to Madfolk, P.O. Box 665, Madison, WI 53701.  Applications will also be available at Spruce Tree Music and Madison Music.  Applicants should identify the folk music teacher with whom they wish to study before applying; scholarships will be paid in advance, directly to the instructor.  Deadline for applications is September 1 annually.  Winners will be announced and presented at the Madfolk annual meeting in the fall (generally late October or early November).

Help keep it going! Tax deductible contributions to continue this memorial scholarship may be made payable to Madison Folk Music Society, with “Helen Schneyer Scholarship Fund” noted in the memo portion, and sent to Madfolk, P.O. Box 665, Madison, WI 53701. This can be done at any time including when dues are submitted.  In addition, there will be a donation box at Madfolk events to allow for donations to the fund as inspired by the moment.  In this way, Madfolk hopes to ensure that there is a new generation who will attempt to replace those who have gone on to sing in the “Angel Band.”

Mad Folk Scholarship
Use Guidelines

If you become the recipient of a Helen Schneyer Music Lesson Scholarship, here are the guidelines we would request that you follow.

• The Scholarship is for lessons only. 
   
• Find an instructor who is willing to take you on as a student and is capable of helping you reach your musical goals.  Inform the instructor that you will be prepaying an agreed amount up $300 in one two or three installments.
   
• Contact the Madfolk Treasurer informing him/her of the name and address to which they are to send the check and the details of your lesson arrangement.
   
• Enjoy your lessons.  We request that you complete the use of all scholarship monies within 18 months of the award date.
   
• Any questions or problems, contact the Madfolk Scholarship Committee chair as listed in the monthly newsletter.