Something grand was being planned as Savannah Friends of Music kicked off their “Support Something Grand” fundraising initiative. 

SFOM, in partnership with the American Traditions vocal Competition and the Savannah VOICE Festival, are fundraising to provide the Esther F. Garrison School for the Visual and Performing Arts a baby grand piano for their new performance hall. The organization needs 88 “key players” to help make this possible. Supporters are invited to sponsor a piano key for $200, or Middle C and Concert A key sponsorships are available for $500 each.

SFOM memberships are also available starting at $35 and all donations are appreciated. Please visit www.savannahfriendsofmusic.com/membership.html to become a member or for more information. Please make checks payable to Savannah Friends of Music and send to P.O. Box 15873, Savannah, GA 31416.

The concert featured local student pianists as guests enjoyed light refreshments as they helped the SFOM kick off this exciting initiative. ATC President Daniel C. Cohen served as emcee for the evening.

“Savannah Friends of Music has been instrumental in providing a platform for sustaining music and music education in our community over the years by providing local organizations such as the American Traditions vocal Competition and the Savannah VOICE Festival with much needed support,” said Cohen.  “I’m honored to have been chosen as the emcee for this kickoff event and to be involved in this wonderful initiative.”  

The mission of SFOM is to support, sponsor, and promote classical music and music education in Savannah and the surrounding areas. The nonprofit organization has donated over $900,000 to accomplish this mission since its inception in 2003. SFOM has given grants to provide music education to students applying for private music lessons and summer music camps, as well as organizations committed to developing excellence in classical music, including the Armstrong Youth Orchestra, Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts, the Savannah Arts Academy, ATC, the Savannah VOICE Festival and the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.

Philip Greenberg, former conductor of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra and a long-time SFOM supporter, was instrumental in SFOM’s acquisition of the piano for Garrison. His friend Chris Jurgensen was preparing to sell the 1918 Sohmer piano, a 5-foot mahogany baby grand with ivory keys, which was in excellent condition. When Greenberg heard about this and saw the exquisite piano, he suggested Jurgensen donate the piano to SFOM, which he did. After SFOM member and SVF board member Wes Krulic saw photos of the instrument, he explained to his peers in the organization that the Esther F. Garrison School needed a piano for their new auditorium.

“I knew when I heard that this piano had been donated to SFOM that this organization had an amazing opportunity to provide students and the generations of tomorrow with a beautiful instrument to continue to provide music for years to come,” Krulic said. “Everyone who supports SFOM is investing in the future of music by helping this organization continue to work toward their mission.”