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Music Fundraiser Raises Thousands For Grants And Scholarships Music Fundraiser Raises Thousands For Grants And Scholarships

By Danyell Monk

DANYELL MONK: Tonight, music lovers gathered at Traditions at the Links for the annual Music Matters fundraiser. This event raises funds for a variety of music scholarships and grants. Treasurer of Syracuse Sound of Music Barbara Barnell says that many musicians are helped by the funds.

BARBARA BARNELL: If you take all the organizations, we gave grants to 16 organizations, we take all those organizations and their following. The Symphoria orchestra we give twenty thousand to, so you look at that following. So, it’s thousands and thousands of people.

MONK: Money was raised through ticket sales and a silent auction of over 120 items. The event is also a celebration for the recipient of the annual Ovation Award. This year’s recipient, Syracuse Pops Chorus Musical Director Lou Lemos, says the members of his choir make his life a huge success.

LOU LEMOS: They’re everyday wonderful people with a lot of talent and a lot of drive and quality.

MONK: Attendees got to enjoy the sounds of a music as they placed their silent auction bids and ate. Lemos conducted the Syracuse Pops Chorus for a performance. Barnell says that music a huge part of the Central New York Community.

BARNELL: Well, personally, I think it has a big impact. It’s a big part of my life, and that’s why I’m part of the organization. But I do think it’s a part of everyone’s life. It makes them feel good. It’s entertainment and music has been around Syracuse for a long time.

MONK: Through these doors behind me here at Traditions at the Links, over one-hundred people are gathered to try and reach the goal of raising twenty-thousand dollars. In Syracuse, Danyell Monk, NCC News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Syracuse Sounds of Music Association is one of the only music associations in the Central New York Area. One of the main fundraisers for the organization is the Music Matters event, held on Tuesday, Nov. 1. The event comprises of a dinner, silent auction, and award presentation ceremony.

The silent auction, in addition to ticket sales, is how the event brings in funding. Treasurer of the Syracuse Sounds of Music Association Barbara Barnell worked as the Event and Auction Chair for the 2022 Music Matters Committee.

“We are an organization that gives out money to deserving organizations that promote music,” said Barnell. “We also give out money to two high school seniors that are going into music education and we also do a sponsorship for the Symphoria Orchestra.”

Music Matters isn’t the only way that the Syracuse Sounds of Music Association raises money. The main way that the association brings in money year-round is through the Encore Thrift Shop in Fayetteville. The shop takes in items via donation to sell. All proceeds earned go towards the association’s scholarships and grants it awards.

“We raise around $70,000 a year just alone with that thrift shop,” said Barnell. “It’s all run by volunteers and we have very few expenses so it’s basically all profit.”

The Syracuse Sounds of Music Association will be having its next event on Dec. 6. The Intermezzo Luncheon will be held at Bellevue Country Club. It will feature shopping, a fashion show, and a performance by the Symphoria Orchestra.

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