Making Music for Life!

Investing in Students, Today and Tomorrow

Annual Report 2015 —2016 Imagination, Creativity, Artistry

Dear Friends,

Did you know that your financial support of Pakachoag is crafting, just like a well-composed Bach minuet, a bright and animated future for Pakachoag students? Whether you made a gift this past year to the annual Harmony Fund or to the Music for Life campaign, your collective support has energized the School at a level never before experienced.

Because of your support, we’re a full 80% forward in meeting our Stage One Music for Life financial goal.

More importantly, your generosity, as donor or grantor, during Fiscal Year 2016: ■ Created new opportunities for students, through: ♦ programs,

♦ strengthened partnerships and

♦ more financial aid; ■ Supported our expert faculty (and attracted new faculty too – three new faculty on board as we enter the new fiscal year); and ■ Accelerated investments in technology and capabilities.

… all to assure a sustainable future.

Now, because you have so effectively struck the double bar needed to complete the cadence of Music for Life Year One, we’re prepped for ‘Part B’, Stage Two (and Year Two), of our Music for Life

minuet in progress.

Alongside your own investments, the School’s Board of Directors spent time this past year discerning how we best respond to the important strategic questions posed as part of the Music for

Life campaign. In particular, we will continue this coming year to set in motion the steps needed to address the increasing frequency of wait-listed students and ever-expanding community requests for high-quality, often partner-based, music education and enrichment. With your continued support, all things are possible!

Thank you for your generosity. We sincerely appreciate that you have chosen to invest in the promise of Pakachoag Music School, where we challenge students to ■ Stretch for high standards ■ Take risks ■ Recover from mistakes and ■ Gain confidence to succeed … In music and in life. Together, we are most successfully making Music for Life!

Sincerely,

Donelle Wright, President, Board of Directors Sarah Smongeski, Executive Director

Music for Life!

Investing in Students, Today & Tomorrow

As of 8/31/2016

Giving cycle open & continuing

SYMPHONY CIRCLE $20,000+

Board of Directors, Pakachoag Music School

Patti and Paul Verderese

CONCERTO CIRCLE -$10,000+

Alison Snyder & Donald Allison

John and Susan Howland

The Francis A. and Jacquelyn H. Harrington Foundation

The Stoddard Charitable Trust

ARIA CIRCLE - $5,000+

Robert and Beverly Bachelder

J. Christopher and Catherine Z. Collins

The Fletcher Foundation

The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation

PRELUDE CIRCLE - $1,500+

Tom & Barbara Ingrassia

Crystal Jiang & Yong Wang

Rev. Perry Kingman

Rod & Kathleen O’Connor

Brian & Maria Perry

The Greater Worcester Community Foundation

The George A. Ramlose Foundation The Schwartz Charitable Foundation

Susan Wobst

Sarah and Joseph G. Smongeski

Music for Life

Special Project

Support for FY16:

⇒ Technology

Investments

♦ New Web Site

♦ Online Registration

System

♦ Hardware & Software

⇒ Readying for

Strategic

Decision-Making:

Financial Upgrade

OTHER MUSIC FOR LIFE

CAMPAIGN SUPPORT

Anonymous

drien C. Finlay

Ellen Gugel

Monique Lemaire

Apurva and Ketaki Patel

Susanna Bonta

Our Mission

Pakachoag Music School of Greater Worcester is dedicated to nurturing musical journeys that

cultivate the imagination, inspire creativity and develop artistry.

Who We Serve

In FY 2015-2016, 433 students from 40

communities enrolled at Pakachoag Music School.

Throughout the year, approximately 1500

community members enjoyed 30 different performances presented by students and

faculty.

Julie Holston, Music Together® Faculty

Julie Holston became connected to Pakachoag Music School in

1994 as a parent of a toddler.

Having always been involved in music as a choir member and

folk guitarist, Julie recognized that Music Together (MT) was not

just a fun, happy family time, but also a rich curriculum.

Soon after becoming an MT Mom, Julie took up training to

become an MT teacher. Twenty years later, the MT program

continues to thrive in part because of Julie’s long-standing

commitment to Pakachoag and early childhood education.

Julie writes: “Pakachoag has been part of my life for 22 years,

first as a parent then as a teacher. Deciding to take the job as a

Music Together teacher was one of the best decisions I have made,

not only for myself, but for my family. Music became much more

part of our lives at home as we sang and played Music Together

songs all the time, even when we were at some medical tests for my

daughter. (I became known as the singing mother at one testing

site, as I sang my daughter to sleep for a number of tests!) And as

my children grew, they both went on to take private lessons, so we

all spent a lot of time participating in Pakachoag's nurturing

environment.

“Pakachaog is such a caring place with so many talented

teachers, that I feel very fortunate to be a part of a place that

spends so much time and energy nurturing not only the music

development of students, but also other life skills that will help

them in the future to be productive members of society.”

Thank you, Julie, for being such a significant presence,

contributing for over two decades to the School’s success.

Instructor Spotlight

Student Voices

Pakachoag Music School

created an environment in

which I truly evolved into a

more wholesome musician as

well as performer. During my

years at Pakachoag, I started

to envision music as a type of

narration depicting the

various emotions of the

composer as well as the

player. In this way,

Pakachoag Music School and

my teacher, Jeff Dostal,

taught me to have a deeper

appreciation of the music

that I played. … every recital

was welcoming and

constructive thanks to Sarah

and the entire faculty at

Pakachoag. ... Thank you,

Pakachoag Music School, for

being such an influential part

of my life. “

David Gunaratnum,

Guitar Student

2007-2016

Dave Gunaratnum, Guitar

2016 Recipient of the Peggy Kelley Reinburg Award

for Effort, Commitment & Attitude

In January, 2007, David Gunaratnum enrolled for guitar

lessons. Nine years forward, in May 2016, Dave graduated from

high school and played in his final school recital. His steady,

persistent commitment to becoming a polished, versatile guitarist,

along with his active participation in school events, earned Dave

the distinction of being voted by faculty the 2016 recipient of the

Reinburg Award for Effort, Commitment & Attitude.

Perhaps most importantly, during his nine years at Pakachoag,

Dave recognized that his participation in school activities and

performances was valuable for the younger students who would

look up to him as a role model.

Dave’s final performance was in June 2016. He volunteered to

accompany the Boys & Girls Club Pak@TheClub guitar class for

their Annual Meeting and high school graduation, further

providing inspiration to other young people.

David is now in his freshman year at Fordham University.

Inset photo: David in 2008, one year into lessons.

Main photo: March 2016 Honors Recital playing Villa Lobos.

““

Student Spotlight

Weigl Photography

Maestros ($2,500+)

The Fred Harris Daniels Foundation The George F. &

Sybil H. Fuller Foundation

Greater Worcester

Community Foundation

Hoche-Scofield Foundation,

Bank of America, N.A., Trustee

Massachusetts Cultural Council

Pakachoag Church

Patti & Paul Verderese ♪♪♪ ☼

Andy & Bonnie Weigl ♪♪ ☼

Director's Circle ($1,000+)

Robert & Beverly Bachelder ♪♪ ☼

J. Christopher & Catherine Z.

Collins ♪♪☼

Michael & Jill Lorion ♪ ☼

Susan Kraft & Donald Michaels ♪♪☼

Michael & Mary Kay Myers

Rod and Kathleen O’Connor ♪♪ ☼

Drs. Martha & Arthur * Pappas ♪☼

Brian & Maria Perry ☼

George A. Ramlose Foundation, Inc.

In Memory of Joseph L. &

Georgette C. Smongeski ♪♪♪☼

Vickie & Robert Thebeau ♪♪☼

Composers ($500 +) James & Josephine Castano ♪ ☼

Steven & Meg Gallo ♪♪☼

Homesite Group Incorporated

Tom & Barbara Ingrassia ♪ ☼

Crystal Jiang & Yong Wang☼

Andrew & Julie Kelleher☼

Perry & Donna Kingman☼

Guy & Rebecca LeDuc ☼

Dennis & Jane Neslusan ♪♪ ☼

Diane Paradis & David Degon♪♪☼

Edward Smongeski ☼

Dr. & Mrs. John Paul Verderese

& Family ♪♪☼

Susan Wobst ☼

Donelle B. Wright ♪☼

Conductors ($250+) Adrien C. Finlay

Donald & Barbara Groves ♪

Jean & John Jesensky ♪

Tom & Pam Johnson ♪

Bernard Lempicki & Gail Morgan ♪♪

Frederick & Kathleen

Monbouquette ♪

Charles & Nydia Moser ♪♪♪

Savers Bank

Bryan & Mary Anne Slack ♪♪♪

John T. Verderese ♪

Soloists ($100+) Alden Anderson ♪

Anonymous

Rex & Janeen Baker

Peter & Tina Balesano

David & Kathleen Bartolini ♪♪

Ursula Bergman

Stanley I. Berman

Karmen Bogdesic & Dinko Vujic ♪

Robert & Madeline Dupuis

Sherri & David Elkinson

Donald & Dorothy Favreau ♪♪

Bruce & Carolyn Field ♪♪♪

Joyce Fuller ♪

Robert & Janice A. Gallo ♪

Joshua Gunaratnam & Santhini

Dheenathayalan

Silvia & Donald Irving ♪♪

Paul Jourcin ♪

Ryan Kittredge

Dennis Knight ♪♪♪

John & Gail Lefferts

Leonard & Lea Lucia Lipner ♪♪♪

Gary & Diane MacConnell ♪♪

John & Heather Mistretta

Harmony Fund Supporters 2015-2016

Thank You for Helping Secure The Future.

♪5+ consecutive years ♪♪10+ Year Donor ♪♪♪ 20+ Year Cavatina Society ☼

Barbara Riel ♪

In Memory of Charles H.

Severens

Kate Shan & Hongju Liu

Gabe Simon/

Dunkin Donuts Auburn

In Memory of Betty Stewart

Brian & Katherine Verderese

Kelsa & Don Zereski

Friends Nancy Avila ♪

Adam Chau & Amleslie Tew

Anonymous

In Memory of Walter

Beinar & Pat Kelley

John & Katie Broach

In Memory of Doris P. Burak ♪

Rebecca Day ♪♪

Jeff Dostal

Louise Downie

Durant’s Appliance Service

Ford’s Hometown Services

Steven R. Munden &

Ellen M. Gugel

Julie Holston

In Memory of Frank and

Betty Kalonas ♪♪

Chris & Melanie Karbowski

Dr. Andrey Karpyuk

Frances Langille

Christine & Christopher McCoy

Charlotte McGlinchy

Edgar & Vivian Onofre

John & Susan Pacek

Pat & Anne Morris ♪

Kristina, Mathew, and Ethan Most

The Music Club of Worcester

Ronald Newton

Vladimir Odinokikh

Ron & Mary Plutnicki ♪

Mary Ann Preskul-Ricca &

Joseph Ricca

In Memory Of Marcia Reich ♪♪♪

Paul & Debby Sedgwick

D. Neel & Candace Smith ♪♪

Karen Way

Steve & Debbie Yerdon ♪♪

Leah Zelnick & Ryan Lauria

Section Leaders ($50+) Beth & Joey Boudreau

Derek & Ruby Burke ♪

Joan & John Butterworth, Jr. ♪♪

Cristina & Gregory Canning ♪♪

Henry Ciborowski *

Frank Cole ♪

Jane M. Costello ♪♪

Dick & Chottsie Cote ♪♪

The Dowdle Family

Josh Goldman

Melodie Hanks ♪

Dorothy, David, Alison, &

Suzanne Julian

In Memory of Leeroy E. Knowlton ♪

Maxim & Isabella Korn ♪♪

Joseph & Gina Kuruvilla ♪

Christa Mansur

Rocco & Carla Morano ♪♪

Donald & Sheila Reid ♪

☼

The Cavatina Society recognizes

donors who provide leading gifts

at the level of $500 and above.

Sponsors &

Special Support

Security Engineered

Machinery of Westboro

Madaleine Ahlquist

Dodge Park Rest Home

Mirick O’Connell,

Attorneys at Law

Price Chopper’s

Golub Foundation

Karbowski Remodeling, LLC

Reliant Medical Group

Ketaki & Apurva Patel

Virginia Ryan

Marge St. John ♪

In Memory of Betty P. Stewart

Carol Stewart-Grinkis

Kevin & Martha Toth

We’ve made our best effort to

include all of our donors. If we

missed you, please let us know.

* Deceased

Staff 2015-2016

Sarah Smongeski

Executive Director

Melanie Karbowski

Office Mngr. & Registrar

Amy Matherly

Suzuki Program Coord.

Dr. Leah Zelnick

Student Performance and

Outreach Coordinator

Board of Directors

2015-2016

Donelle Wright, President Guy LeDuc

Bob Bachelder

Melodie Hanks

Jean Jesensky

Crystal Jiang

Perry Kingman

Brian Perry

Karen Way

Andy Weigl

Susan Wobst

Advisory Board 2015-2016

Patti Verderese, Chair

Randy Bloom

Catherine Z. Collins

Adrien Finlay

Meg Gallo

Barbara Granger

Kallin Johnson

Paul Jourcin

Gail Morgan

Martha Pappas

Alison Snyder

Private Lessons

Janeen Baker, Piano (School Accompanist)

Nike Beaudry, Clarinet / Musicianship-Theory

Betsy Bronstein, Cello

Jannatha Coffin, Voice/Theater

Madalyne Cross, Violin/Suzuki Violin

Alice Daugherty, Flute

Scott Daugherty, Trumpet

Jeff Dostal, Guitar (Jazz, Classical, Folk, Pop)

Joshua Goldman, Guitar (Jazz, Classical, Folk, Pop)

Peter Hughes, Violin/Viola

Silvia Irving, Voice

Andrey Karpyuk, Piano

Laurie Knorr, Violin/Suzuki Violin

Amy Matherly, Suzuki Violin

Inna Muravnik, Piano

William Ness, Organ

Vladimir Odinokikh, Piano

Sam Politz, Jazz Piano/Accordion

Sheila Reid, Violin/Suzuki Violin

Debby Sedgwick, Piano

Sarah Smongeski, Flute

Leah Zelnick, Suzuki Violin; Piano

Outreach Programs

♦ Afternoon Tunes: Nike Beaudry,

Music Education Coach & Consultant

♦ Boys and Girls Club: Josh Goldman, Pak@TheClub Instructor

Music Together

Julie Holston

Linnea Lyerly

Musical Theater

Jannatha Coffin

Our Faculty

November 2015

A Musical Fantasy for The Holidays

Faculty:

Jung-Yi Hsieh (Alice Dougherty), Flute

Scott Daugherty, Trumpet

And guest:

Ilya Kazantsev, Piano

March 2016

Honors Student Recital

April 2016

Three Plus One: A Family of Pianists Dan Sedgwick, Piano

Eric Sedgwick, Piano

Debby Sedgwick, Piano

Marji Gere, Violin

Debby Sedgwick, faculty, was joined by her professional musician sons and daughter in-law for this special family

concert.

As we reflect on the meaning of Music for Life!, the audience was treated to hearing how music has

infused the life of a family—for both parent and child, as a pastime and a profession.

Music Together (Auburn, Sterling, Sturbridge,

West Boylston) Birth to 7 years old

♦ Mixed-Age classes for children ages birth through 5 Years

♦ Music Together Big Kids, ages 5, 6 and 7 years

♦ Rhythm Kids, ages 5 to 8 years

♦ Music Together for Special Learners, ages 5 to 10 years

Private Lessons - School-aged to adult

♦ Piano

♦ Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass

♦ Guitar (Electric, Acoustic, All Styles)

♦ Voice

♦ Flute, Piccolo, Recorder

♦ Trumpet

♦ Pipe Organ

♦ Clarinet, Saxophone

♦ Traditional/Classical, Folk & Jazz

Suzuki Violin & Cello Program—ages 4 and up

Music Theatre Program- Grades 1 to 5

Ensembles

♦ Fiddle Band, Chamber Ensembles, Orchestra & Choir Partnerships

And More!

♦ Performance Classes, Recitals, Outreach Concerts

♦ Musicianship/ Theory Classes

♦ Piano Examinations (Royal Conservatory Syllabus)

♦ Summer Lessons & Week-Long ‘camps’

What We Do Special Events

Financials FY2016 **

* * Pre external accountant’s review.

FY16 Expenses by Program

Private Lesson Program $200,888

Suzuki Program $16,999

Mgmnt. & General $77,019

Music Together $47,303

Musical Theater $6,927

Ensembles, Summer, Other $14,019

Fundraising $13,378

Financial Aid (all programs) $32,000

Total Expense: $376,913

Prior Year (FY15) Expense: $338,268

FY16 Income

Programs (Tuitions and Fees) $292,866

Sponsorships $2,900

Grants: Music for Life $45,900

Grants: Financial Aid & General $20,162

Individual Gifts: Music for Life* $37,853

Board Gifts: Music for Life* $15,650

Individual Gifts: Harmony Fund $28,599

In-Kind Space Support: Pakachoag Church $12,000

Total Income: $415,331

Prior ( FY15) Income: $340,000

Boys & Girls Club: Pak@TheClub

Spring 2016 in Worcester included a little extra guitar

strumming! With support from the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester,

Pakachoag Music School, an anonymous donor, and grant funding

from the Worcester Arts Council*, Pakachoag faculty member Josh

Goldman visited the Club each Friday for 10 weeks, introducing

Club members to the guitar.

At the end of 10 weeks, three of the most industrious

participants visited Pakachoag with family members to participate

in our end-of-year Studio Guitar Class concert.

One week later, the students also played at the Boys & Girls

Club Annual Meeting held at The Hanover Insurance Group. David

Gunaratnum (featured on page 10) played an abbreviated rendition

of Prince’s Purple Rain and the students strummed along.

Murmurings of “cool” could be heard from among other Club

students as the guitarists played.

Following the festivities, the three performers were treated to

hand shakes by Pakachoag Executive Director, Sarah Smongeski.

“They were proud of themselves,” noted Sarah, “and so they should

be. The kids learned quickly that they couldn’t do this without

showing up every week AND practicing between classes too.”

A special thank you to all of the donors who made the program

happen and also to Josh

Goldman for his

enthusiastic support of

the students.

Student Voices

Dear donor,

Thank you for giving me the

opportunity to play piano.

Your generosity makes this

music school the best of all.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Appleton

Age 13

Piano Student

““

New Program Highlight

The Worcester Arts Council, a

local agency, is supported by

the Massachusetts Cultural

Council, a state agency.

Additional thanks to Ellen

Gugel, Monique Lemaire, and an

anonymous donor for donating

guitars and amps to the Boys &

Girls Club of Worcester.

The Verderese Volunteer of the Year

Andy Weigl

At the School’s May 2016 student recital, we extended our

heartfelt thanks to volunteer School photographer and board

member, Andy Weigl.

Andy’s change of profession, from business consultant to

professional photographer, was fortuitous in the life of the School.

Throughout the past three years, Andy visited numerous recitals,

lessons and special events to capture the life of Pakachoag in

photos.

With the unveiling of our new website in May (made possible

by our Music for Life donors and grantors), Andy’s photos brought

the site to life through artistically captured images.

Beyond the camera, Andy has dedicated hundreds of hours over

six years, watching over the health of the school and providing

advice on all things strategic, in particular marketing activity.

When asked what has been most fulfilling about his personal

commitment to Pakachoag, Andy writes:

• “Helping to work on issues that are important to the school,

and making a difference along the way

• “Watching, hearing and photographing, the students during

performance - capturing the emotion

• “Being able to give back to a worthy cause …

• “Seeing first-hand how a small non-profit organization

operates. It’s way more challenging than I would have imagined!”

We thank Andy for sharing his time, his talents and financial

gifts in support of Pakachoag students.

Your contributions are making Music for Life!

Student Voices

Dear Donor,

Thank you very much for

your support of Pakachoag

Music School. Because of

your support, I am able to

take music lessons.

This is my second year

playing the guitar. I hope to

be a criminologist or a lawyer

when I grow up. At

Pakachoag, I really like the

way the instructors teach.

My favorite song is A

Thousand Years by Christina

Perri.

Thank you. Sincerely,

Keyshla Age 12

Guitar Student

““

Photo Left: Andy Weigl good-naturedly accepts the Volunteer of the Year Award

from Sarah Smongeski (left) and Donelle Wright, Board President (right).

Auburn Pakachaog Church

Education Wing

203 Pakachoag Street

Auburn, MA 01501

West Boylston First Congregational Church

Of West Boylston

26 Central Street

W. Boylston, MA 01583

Sturbridge [Music Together]

Sturbridge Federated Church

8 Maple Street

Sturbridge, MA 01566

Sterling [Music Together]

1835 Town Hall

31 Main Street

Sterling, MA 01564