letters of thanks
Dear Mr. Willard and the Bill Fleming Memorial Development Fund,
I am in fact, a first-year student at Queen’s University this year. I received your gift toward the purchase of my brand-new flute to alleviate the stresses on my family’s finances as I rented from a local music store. I have been so lucky that you were as generous as you were because I play this beautiful flute now.
As I entered university this past September, I looked forward to taking music courses offered and since then, I have learned so much. I have taken two Ethnomusicology courses, Music Theory and Harmony and Romantic and 20th Century Music History. I have found that here, music has so much more to it than I could have ever imagined. I find myself interested in much different subjects than I had originally anticipated. I had touched on these subjects in high school, but I find that the professors’ expertise is unbelievable. I’ve looked through the guide of upcoming classes for the next three years of my education, and I can’t wait to take some of these classes.
I have always been very involved in music, as I still am here at university. I had always found that my best friends were met in my music classes, my favourite trips and memories were on music ventures, my favourite teachers – always the music teachers, my favourite past-time – playing music and my favourite subjects were always music courses. The same reigns true here at university. I have met amazing friends and spend most of my time with them. I have fabulous professors who are so passionate about music that they can engage us all in tedious lesson of theory and harmony. I am thrilled to have such extraordinary professors in music because it goes to show that if you are in a job that you absolutely love, you will love doing it. I cannot wait to graduate and find a job in the music field where I can instill that kind of passion in students, colleagues and friends.
I have always been inspired by music. It was something that I do when I am in a variety of different moods. I play mostly because I love it. I have been especially lucky to own this flute this year because it is such a beautiful instrument. I was extremely surprised when I received your letter saying that you wished to help. It was a gift that I am tremendously appreciative of. I would have otherwise never been granted the opportunity to own such a beautiful flute. I am looking forward to working next year with a phenomenal teacher from whom I will take lessons towards a credit in performance. I will be practicing hard and working to become the best musician I can be. Here, I have the opportunity to work with amazing people, both students and professors and Queen’s Music gives me tons of different paths to explore.
I cannot wait to expand my horizons again. I love to perform. It has always been a part of who I am I guess. Music has in fact become not something I do, but a huge part of who I am. In short, my musical interests began in early elementary school when I sat in an assembly at an angle where I could see the principal playing the piano. I couldn’t believe that she could get all of those ‘buttons’ coordinated at the same time to make that kind of sound. From then on, I was enticed to learn that. A couple of years later, I inherited a piano from a great, great aunt who had owned a piano store. This piano was her prized possession. It is a 1901 Heintzman upright in immaculate condition. We went to pick it up and before it was even unloaded from the trailer in the driveway, I was up there playing the tune from ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’. That was it. Since then, I’ve played the Alto/Tenor and Baritone saxes, the flute, piano and sang in choirs. I was part of Elementary bands, high school bands, regional groups, provincial and national festivals and now in university music programs. I am remembered at my high school for my participation in the music program and I was fortunate to play at my graduation for my graduating class. I live for the adrenaline rush that comes from being part of a performance or a group. I am fortunate that I have received your help in chasing my dreams and finding out where music will take me.
I cannot express enough gratitude to you and the development fund. Your gifts to students like myself are so gracious. I appreciate the thought and I will continue to do so as musical opportunities present themselves. I would like to once again thank you so much for your generous donation and your trust in me. I am so lucky to have been recognized by your foundation. You are such amazing people for doing this for your friend in remembrance of his love for music. I am extremely grateful for your huge hearts and your generosity.
Thank you and best wishes in the development of this touching development fund.
