The Mary Alemian Music Enrichment Fund
Newton is a great place to live - great schools, incredible sense of community, and what often feels like a never-ending array of resources for the young and not-so-young alike. Whether you’ve been a Newtonite from birth, or have recently adopted Newton as your new hometown, the Garden City can feel like a utopian oasis . . . especially after watching the national news. On a related note, Newton Public Schools’ reputation for excellence and innovation is driven by its commitment to ongoing investments in faculty, curricula, infrastructure, and technology – a commitment that doesn’t come cheap. It’s hard to imagine that our school system would have to make extraordinarily difficult decisions and sacrifices each year when prioritizing these investments.
Music education and enrichment can take a back seat at the budgeting table given the ease with which many Newtonites purchase or rent brand new musical instruments and cover the lesson fees associated with exploring music education in our schools. But what about those who can’t? What happens to those who have the desire, interest, and curiosity to explore music more deeply but don’t have the financial resources to do so? The School Department has creatively secured a limited number of “well-used” instruments and cases that are made available to students with a demonstrated financial need. However, the demand for these loaners outstrips the inventory by far . . . and the idea of offering subsidies or full scholarships to defray those music fees simply isn’t feasible.
But shouldn’t every student who has an interest in music have the opportunity to explore that interest regardless of their family’s financial situation? Of course, not everyone who picks up an instrument will go on to become a professional musician. For some, the ability to play an instrument will be a lifelong pursuit. For others, it might be the foundation for the creation of a garage band that lasts only through middle school but solidifies four friendships/relationships that will last forever. And for others, music education may turn out to be “not their thing”, but they discovered that through trial and by exploring life’s possibilities without limitation. For these reasons, I have established the Mary Alemian Music Enrichment Fund - with the knowledge and support of Newton Public Schools. As a Keller Williams Realtor ®, I am pledging 10% of my net fees from each Newton real estate transaction that I am involved in, beginning in January of 2024. The Fund’s first priority is to update and expand the school system’s inventory of loaner instruments.
You can support this effort in either of the following ways:
- If you are thinking about moving to Newton, out of Newton, or within Newton, please use me as your real estate agent and 10% of my net fee will go to the Mary Alemian Enrichment Fund. Click here to provide your contact information, and I will be in touch to hear more about your moving goals.
- If you’ve been moved by this story to want to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Fund, then please make a contribution in any amount to: Newton Public Schools and include “For Mary Alemian Music Enrichment Fund” on the memo line. Then simply mail your contribution to:
- Mary Alemian Music Enrichment Fund
Newton Public Schools
100 Walnut Street
Newtonville, MA 02460
As a “jack of many instruments and master of none,” I thank you . . . and the students of Newton Public Schools thank you . . . because music matters.
Meet Mary Alemian
Mary Alemian served as Secretary of the original Horace Mann School on Watertown Street in Newtonville, from 1964 through 1988. Her cheery phone greeting of “This is the friendly Horace Mann School” was recognized throughout the school system and beyond. She loved working at Horace Mann and regularly described as the best job she ever had.
Mary emersed herself into the School’s activities throughout the year above all, she loved and had great passion for the School’s musical performances – especially those when she was asked to provide piano accompaniment. Her passion in life was for all things musical and for music education.
Mary sang into her 90’s before retiring from the Second Church Choir in Newton . She was a resident of West Newton for over 65 years before moving to the Armenian Nursing Home in Jamaica Plain, MA where she currently resides. She will turn 99 years old in May of 2024.
The Mary Alemian Music Enrichment Fund was created to ensure that all students in Newton Public Schools have the opportunity to explore the world of music education without having to consider their financial resources . . . and in so doing, perhaps create a lifetime passion of their own.
Peter Alemian
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Boston Northwest
617-945-6514 | [email protected]