Music School of Delaware gets $10 million endowment
The Music School of Delaware’s board of directors formally announced the creation of a new, $10 million scholarship endowment Feb. 7 in what the school says is the largest gift in its history.
Kate Ransom, school president and CEO, said, “This is a monumental moment that we are so excited to share with the community. A $10 million gift is unbelievably exciting.”
The Mary Ellen Northrop Endowed Fund for Music Education will provide qualifying students with two years of financial assistance, including tuition fees and instrument purchases, with the first year covered 100 percent or up to $5,000 per student and 50 percent or up to $5,000 for the second year, said board Chair John du Pont.
Students in public, parochial or private schools would be eligible to apply, although charter school students would not. All musical instrument and voice class students would be able to apply, except for guitar. Eligible families must make less than $150,000 per year and be U.S. citizens. Du Pont said those conditions were stipulated as part of Northrop’s trust.
The school plans to begin offering scholarships in fall 2022; Ransom said prospective students should call the school to fill out the required forms and would then be assessed for enrollment. She said students already enrolled would have a chance to receive scholarship funds if they meet requirements.
“It’s an enormous tool,” Ransom said. “Families who otherwise couldn’t afford it or augment their child’s education because of financial restrictions – it opens the doors for them. The challenge there is to communicate that the possibility exists for more people to get music instruction.”
Northrop, who died June 29, 2021 at age 78, lived in Wilmington and had a career as a financial analyst at the DuPont company. She had a love of music, participating in music programs at local churches and singing in the choir. The Music School of Delaware opened in 1924, and has locations in Wilmington and Milford
Board Vice Chair Kris Venkatesh said, “Music education and excellence is the core of what we do at the Music School of Delaware. This bequest sets the foundation to fulfill that mission for the next 100 years.” He said Northrop’s gift shows confidence in the school’s leadership and mission, and will help unlock the potential of students to pursue their dreams.
