The Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras is proud to announce the Stanley and Shirley Inhorn Scholarship Fund, a new scholarship fund established with the goal of expanding access to WYSO programs and opportunities available to young musicians. Initiated with a $10,000 lead gift from WYSO Life Trustees Stanley and Shirley Inhorn, this fund will help eliminate financial barriers for students and their families.
Over the past five years, WYSO has seen a considerable increase in applications for scholarship assistance. The average adjusted income of applicants during the 2018-2019 season was $37,565, an amount not substantially above the poverty line in Wisconsin.
“As WYSO has grown and evolved since its beginning in 1966, we recognize the valuable musical experience it has provided for students from many communities in south-central Wisconsin,” Dr. and Mrs. Inhorn said. “By offering tuition scholarships to those in need, we want to assure that joining WYSO will be available to students of all financial means. We hope that this scholarship initiative will inspire others to contribute to this program.”
During the 2018-2019 season, WYSO offered over $50,000 in scholarship support for students enrolling in WYSO orchestras, the WYSO Chamber Music Program, and private lessons. For many families, this scholarship support made a huge difference in the opportunities they were able to afford for their children.
“We are extremely grateful for the generous scholarships awarded to our children for the 2018-2019 WYSO season,” a parent of a current WYSO scholarship recipient said. “These scholarships are a true blessing for us during a time of financial challenges, enabling our daughters to participate and enjoy the WYSO experience.”
Stanley and Shirley Inhorn have been leaders in WYSO and the Madison arts community since 1953. WYSO is honored to establish this fund in their names and invites others to support this initiative.
“A gift to the Stanley and Shirley Inhorn Scholarship Fund will make an immediate impact on urgently needed scholarship funds for our students,” WYSO Executive Director Bridget Fraser said.
To learn more about the Stanley and Shirley Inhorn Scholarship Fund, visit wysomusic.org/support-wyso/giving-opportunities/inhorn-scholarship-fund/ or contact WYSO Executive Director Bridget Fraser at (608) 263-3320, ext. 1 or at bridget@wysomusic.org. Contribute online at wysomusic.org/give-now by selecting the Inhorn Scholarship Fund.