Loren Krantz (piano), Adam Rongo (sax), Matt Nyquist (bass),
Dustin Mallory (guitar), Steve Nyquist (drums)
(MyBayCity Photos by Julie McCallum)

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Bay Music Foundation Celebrates 50 Years

Three Decades of Scholarship winners perform at The State Theatre

May 19, 2009       1 Comments
By: Julie McCallum, Entertainment Editor

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Is was a Celebration of the Arts as The Bay Music Foundation held a concert at the Bay City State Theater on Sunday, May 17, 2009 celebrating their 50 years of music scholarship.

Three decades of scholarship winners performed in the celebration along with award presentations to Peggy Rowley and Leeds Bird.

Leeds Bird, Master of Ceremonies for the event, board member of Bay City Players, Bay Arts Council and Studio 23, said, "This is an absolute phenomenal organization. They are all volunteers. There is no paid staff." Birds went on to say, "Nobody has a better volunteer base better then Bay County/Bay City."

"Music enriches a persons life. The talent that comes from these scholars is super impressive" Bird continued.

According to Bird, the organization has given away just short of $250,000 in scholarship funds. Thanks to the Bay Music Foundation . . . "The Beat Goes On," said Bird.






(Above) Peggy Rowley received an appreciation award for starting the Bay Music Foundation 50 Years ago. The award was presented to her by Eileen Harrigan, Bay Music Foundation President.

The Bay Music Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that was established in 1950 by founder, Peggy Rowley, to encourage the musical development of the youth of Bay County.

The Bay Music Foundation has been providing summer study scholarships to young musicians and performers for over 50 years, and was the first of its type in the area.

Aside from events such as performance workshops and master classes, The Bay Music Foundation also organizes an Annual Scholarship Competition for students enrolled in grades 6-12 who reside and/or study in Bay County.



(Above) The 1st Recipient of the Peggy Rowley Award was awarded to Leeds Bird. Pictured above receiving award from Denise Avery. Bird also was the master of ceremonies of the event.







(Above Left) Carly Peil (vocal) 2008 1st Place Intermediate Musical Theatre/ 2009 1st Place Intermediate Voice (Above Right) Adam Rongo (saxophone) 2001 2nd Place Intermediate Sax/ 2002 1st Place Intermediate Sax/2003 1st Place Senior Sax/2004 1st Place Advanced Sax/2005 1st Place Senior Voice



(Above Left) Dylan Ratell (vocal) 2008 1st Place Senior Voice/2009 2nd Place Senior Musical Theatre (Above Right) Lauren Rongo (flute) 1967 2nd Place Senior Flute/1968 1st place Senior Flute



(Above Left) Ryan VanDenBoom (vocal) 2007 2nd Place Senior Vocal (Above Right) Jonathan Costello (alto sax) 2007 1st Place Intermediate Sax/2008 1st Place Senior Sax/2009 2nd Place Advanced Sax















(Above Left) Kelly McDermott (flute) 1974 1st Place Intermediate Piano/1975 1st Intermediate Flute/1976 1st place Intermediate Instrumental (Above Right) The Celebration of the Arts was held at the Bay City State Theater, Downtown Bay City, Sunday, May 17, 2009.

Links to Bay Music Foundation Stories
2017 Competition 2016 Competition 2015 Competition 2014 Competition 2013 Competition 2012 Competition 2011 Competition 2011 Celebration of the Arts 2011 Competition 2010 Celebration of the Arts 2010 Competition	2009 Celebration of the Arts 2009 Competition 2008 Competition 2007 Competition 2006 Bay Concert Assn. Donation 2006 Competition 2004 Competition Announcement 2003 Competition 2003 Competition Announcement

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"The BUZZ" - Read Feedback From Readers!

laurenrongo50 Says:       On May 27, 2009 at 10:34 AM Wonderful article and photos. Thank you so much. Is there any way I could get copies of the photos of my son. and maybe me too Thank you so much !!!

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Julie McCallum, Entertainment Editor
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