A society that helped send a local singer to a prestigious New York school is looking to help another emerging talent.
Musicians for Musicians was started two years ago after president Beth Walrond saw Nanaimo's Shae Apland perform at a Mother's Day concert in the city. She was struck at how tired the young singer was at intermission and spoke to her friend Christine McMahon, a local singer also performing at the concert. Walrond found out Apland was working three jobs to earn the money to go to school at the Manhattan School of Music to work towards his masters. Even with a scholarship, the cost was $40,000 US a year. Walrond, McMahon and another local musician Sharon Wishart decided to help him raise the money to get to school.
The group held concerts and silent auctions and other fundraisers over the year and raised about $13,000 which made the difference for Apland being able to afford the school.
"There's really a lot of satisfaction in seeing that happen," Walrond said.
Apland has graduated and has secured a position with the Virginia Opera Company. With one student on their way, the society is now looking to help another city talent continue their educations, McMahon said.
The society is holding more concerts and when they have enough money to fund someone they will hold a competition to determine who will receive the money. The concerts will be held May 7 and 14 with The Haydn Wood Salon Ensemble featuring Marjorie Cullerne, violin, Trish Clair-Peck, violin, Jennifer Cluff, flute, John Forrest, bass, Veronica Wagner, viola, Diana Fletcher, cello, Wishart, piano and McMahon, soprano. May 7 they perform at the Christ Community Church at 7:30 p.m. and May 14 they're at the Knox United Church, 345 North Pym, Parksville at 2 p.m.
The concerts will feature British light music written by composer Haydn Wood. Tickets for the Nanaimo show are available at Island Piano, Falconer Books and The Black Dog in Lantzville. For the Parksville show call 248-9339.