Keynotes of South Hills continues to support music students
Bill Davidson, a 2017 scholarship recipient, will perform at the luncheon and fashion show.
Higher education in general represents a massive investment, and the study of music is no exception.
For nearly half a century, Keynotes of South Hills has provided financial support for music students, with more than $370,000 in scholarships awarded since 1970. The primary fundraiser is an annual luncheon and fashion show, with this year’s event scheduled for April 21 at Valley Brook Country Club in Peters Township.
The organization plans to award $10,000 in scholarships, with $5,000 going to the top recipient. Last year’s No. 1 choice, Bill Davidson, will perform at the fashion show, and Lynn Hagan of Mt. Lebanon, who chairs the event, is understandably enthusiastic.
“He’s a wonderful pianist,” she said. “He’s fabulous.”
Pictured at a previous fashion show are Lynn Hagan with daughters Liz Kanche, left, and Erin Hart.
The show features fashions from Chico’s, a national chain that has a store in the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon and has participated in past Keynotes events. Auctions and raffles also will take place to help raise money.
“We want to attract young people to the event, because they’re going to take over this eventually,” Hagan, who has been involved with the Keynotes for the more than 40 years, said. Her daughters Erin Hart and Liz Kanche also are active in the group.
A competition for the 2018 scholarship recipients is scheduled for May 19 in the Fine Arts Theater at Mt. Lebanon High School. The number of contestants is limited to 20 students who are residents of Allegheny, Washington and surrounding counties.
Instrumentalists must be younger than 26 as of June 1, and voice students, under 30. Contestants must be full-time music majors who are enrolled in a music school or in the music department of a college or university.
Graduating high school students are eligible if they have been accepted for admission and will enroll as full-time music majors in the fall.
Paula Bongiorno, a Keynotes of South Hills past president, participates in a previous fashion show to benefit the organization.
A brunch for the winners of the competition and to present them with their cash awards is scheduled for May 20 at LeMont Restaurant in Mt. Washington.
Deadline for applications is April 30. For more information, call Toni Kvederis, who chairs the competition, at 412-220-3080.
Keynotes of South Hills established the scholarship fund in memory of Fay S. Olmsted, who served as the organization’s president and managing director for 20 years. The original $900 donated by the Keynotes in 1970 has grown steadily through investments, memorial tributes, benefit parties and special gifts.
For more information about the luncheon and fashion show, contact Lynn Hagan at lhagan@american-healthcare.net or call 412-563-7805.