BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Music Center's Make a Place for Music Capital Campaign is getting enthusiastic support from BMC singers, orchestra members, students, families, faculty and many others who will soon be sharing the BMC's new music campus.
“Right now we're excited to be receiving gifts of all sizes and each one pushes us closer to the goal. Everyone is pitching in and that's inspiring,” Campaign Coordinator Meg Lyons said in a news release.
The first group asked to contribute was the BMC Concert Choir. Eighty-three members (87 percent) have committed close to $33,000 to the campaign.
“I feel very proud of the Choir,” said Director Susan Dedell. “They are a wonderful group of people who are very generous and community-minded.”
More than $4.2 million has been raised in generous gifts of all sizes and less than $700,000 is now needed to complete the renovation of the BMC's new home across from Living Memorial Park.
Located on newly-named Blanche Moyse Way, an expanded education building is being transformed into a proper music school with an array of practice rooms, a music library, percussion studio, multi-use classroom and light-filled recital hall.
Connected to the music school by a canopied walkway is the new auditorium, where audiences will enjoy concerts as early as this fall.
The Thomas Thompson Trust has offered the BMC a generous challenge.
Between now and May 31 the Trust will match dollar for dollar up to $50,000 all campaign commitments (gifts or pledges) of $1,000 and above. This is an opportunity for donors to double the impact of their support while helping the campaign qualify for an additional $50,000.