Who We Are
On April 2, 1974, the Friends of Music held its first meeting, fulfilling a dream of Mrs. J. Wayne Reitz (Frances) and Dr. Donald E. McGlothlin (then Chairman of the Music Department, now Professor & Dean Emeritus, University of Florida College of Fine Arts.) About 100 people attended this organizational meeting, from which a Board of Directors was created, followed by the bylaws for the Friends of Music.
Our Mission in its Infancy...
The Friends of Music’s primary goal at inception was to establish a scholarship fund for talented and deserving music students. Over the years we have succeeded. Since 1974, over two thousand students have been Friends of Music scholars at the University of Florida.
Marriage of Missions...
Recognizing the value of music to our culture, society, and individual experience, the School of Music at the University of Florida is committed to the teaching and development of musicians, music educators, and scholars. The Friends of Music works to support the goals of the School by:
- Contributing funds primarily for, but not limited to, scholarships;
- Promoting public interest in, and support of, the educational activities of the School;
- Publicizing and eliciting support for events participated in, or sponsored by the School;
- Cooperating with the School in any other way consistent with the aims of the School and the Friends of Music;
- Sponsoring appropriate social and cultural events as approved by the Friends of Music Board of Directors; and
- Providing appropriate recognition each year to all contributors to the School or Friends of Music.
Welcome from the Director
The Friends of Music plays a crucial role in our success here at the College of Fine Arts School of Music. Your membership, at whatever level you choose to participate, demonstrates that you believe in the importance of training young musicians, since your contribution will be applied specifically toward student scholarships. There is also the option to name and endow a scholarship, which enables you to become more directly involved, as it provides you with the opportunity to benefit students in perpetuity.
School of Music students and graduates continue to win awards, perform in major opera companies and orchestras, teach at leading institutions, present scholarly papers at national and international conferences, and influence the music industry worldwide through innovations in contemporary and traditional music fields, as well as the classroom.
I hope that you will consider becoming a member of the Friends of Music. Members share a unique sense of pride in the high caliber of musical education for which the UF School of Music has become nationally recognized.
For those of you who are long-standing and devoted members of the Friends of Music, please know how deeply appreciative we are for your ongoing support.
John Duff, Director
School of Music
