By Casey Wood
The
importance of music for developing healthy communities and societies has been
known since ancient times. Plato said, “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to
the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and
gaiety to life and to everything.”
However,
in a time of limited public funds, music is often cut in favor of more
“practical” disciplines. Given this reality, it is important that we, as
private individuals, support institutions that continue to feed the soul of our
communities through music. Mansfield University and its vocal music program is
such an institution.
The
Smith family has long been associated with the vocal program at Mansfield,
beginning in 1957 when Olynda Chaffee Smith received her music education
degree. Over the years, Howard and Olynda Smith have supported the program with
their time and gifts. They saw this as an essential way to strengthen their
community. It is with this in mind that the Smith family continues to support
the vocal program in honor of the important work that our parents started.
The
Smith family has touched countless Mansfield students through several decades
of loyalty and support to Music at Mansfield. Howard and Olynda participated in
six European tours with the Concert Choir traveling to 10 different countries
from 1996-2011. They were present when Mansfield earned Gold at the World
Choir Games in Graz, Austria. The Smith family has sponsored countless
scholarships for voice majors and provided funding for choral travel. Mansfield
Choral Director Dr. Peggy Dettwiler shared, “Mansfield’s esteemed choral
program wouldn’t be where it is today without the Smith family and their
generosity.”
On
Sunday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m., more than 300 singers composed of Mansfield’s
Concert Choir, Alumni Choir, and six schools in Pennsylvania will converge in
New York City to perform a concert in Carnegie Hall celebrating the life of
Martin Luther King. Four of the high schools participating are directed by
Mansfield Alumni. This is yet another opportunity made possible by the generosity
of the Smith family and their belief that music makes better.
To support Music at Mansfield visit give.mansfield.edu/ and specify your designation.
