News Simon Estes Comes To Vinton; event to help support scholarship fund

When Simon Estes visits Vinton Oct. 30, half of the funds will go toward the scholarship fund that Estes has set up. Tickets are still available by calling Farmers Savings Bank & Trust at 319-472-2373.

Below is an article about the fund which Simon Estes wrote:

Thank you for the opportunity to share with you a project called Roots & Wings. The project is a way for me to give back to the people of Iowa as they have supported me throughout my career. Roots and Wings allows me to share my gift with Iowa, support promising young artists and provide scholarships so Iowa students can achieve their potential and realize their dreams.

The Roots & Wings concert is made up of three components: I perform my favorite music from opera, broadway and spirituals; I am joined by local high school choirs, and a promising young artist is featured. Additionally, I give an informal talk to high school students where I speak about my career, the obstacles I faced and what qualities and characteristics are necessary to be successful. I also meet with members of the local community in support of their cultural and economic development efforts.

The schedule of Roots & Wings concert this fall includes: Chariton – September 23, Ames – October 10, Vinton – October 30, Washington – November 7, Manning –November 13, Iowa Falls/Eldora – November 28 and Holstein – December 12. For 2011 the schedule includes: Oskaloosa – February 17, West Liberty – April 2, Oelwein – April 7 and Greenfield – May 8. Additional possible concert dates are: Jefferson, Creston, Humboldt, Red Oak, Sac City, Cedar Rapids, Algona, Manchester and Corydon.

To support young people in the pursuit of a college education, I am donating 50% of my concert fee to the Simon Estes Iowa Educational Foundation. The Foundation administers the local scholarship program. Since beginning the project earlier this year with four concerts, the Foundation has awarded scholarships to nine students in three counties, Franklin, Marion and Butler totaling $15,700. These outstanding young Iowans are majoring in careers from music to pre-medicine to swine genetics and reproduction. The Foundation also supports scholarship programs at Iowa State University and Wartburg College where I am Professor and Artist in Residence.

Participation in the local scholarship program is directed through the high schools. All high schools in the counties that participate in ROOTS & WINGS are invited to nominate up to five seniors to be named a Simon Estes Scholar. The Foundation’s Scholarship Committee reviews financial need and student essays as well as teacher letters of recommendation for nominees. Qualities that are important to the Foundation are integrity, honesty, enthusiasm, humility, scholastic excellence, high moral standards and a clear focus on a career path. Students are not limited in their course of study, and scholarships are awarded pending their acceptance to an accredited college or university.

It has given me a great deal of satisfaction to see that these concerts are spurring communities to enhance their cultural lives. The concert in Hampton helped support renovations to the Windsor Theater and revitalized the local arts council. In Hardin County the concert is a catalyst for establishing an endowment to support cultural and education projects and in Story County the concert is supporting Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa.

My hope is that Roots & Wings will not only generate much needed financial assistance for students pursuing their college degrees, but also provide communities throughout Iowa with a memorable musical event. For more information about Roots & Wings, you can visit www.seief.org or contact Paul Ferrone, Executive Director of the Simon Estes Iowa Educational Foundation at paul@seief.org or call 515-418-7703.

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This article has been published in other magazines.

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