East Panhandle Times

Friends of Music has provided Mountain Ridge Middle School with a $400 grant, enabling the school to purchase four keyboards. These instruments are being utilized by general music students to acquire basic piano skills.

"Through this introduction to the keyboard, students can develop a deeper appreciation for learning a musical instrument and can pursue improving their skills through piano lessons," stated music teacher Samantha Albright.

A photograph accompanying the announcement depicts a seventh-grade class using two of the keyboards funded by the grant.

This donation is part of Friends of Music's ongoing grant program aimed at supporting music education in Berkeley and Jefferson schools. The grants typically cover instruments and music supplies not included in standard school budgets. They are awarded annually based on applications from music teachers. Friends of Music expressed gratitude for Ecolab's generous support of this grant initiative.

Founded in 1999, Friends of Music is a non-profit organization based in Shepherdstown dedicated to fostering musical excellence. It supports the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra, which is the only professional classical orchestra in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle and one of just three such orchestras in the state. Additional information about Friends of Music can be found at www.friendswv.org.