Allied Organizations

Ohio Foundation for Music Education

Mike Crist

Over the past year, the Ohio Foundation for Music Education Board of Directors has worked to increase the funds meant to furnish the financial means to enhance the goals of Ohio’s music teachers. The OFME provides funds for All-State participation scholarships, helps to fund the student teacher experience for Ohio’s preservice teachers, supports leadership training experiences for OMEA, funds continuing education opportunities for current teachers, and provides participation medals for the All-State ensemble participants. Distributing thousands of dollars each year requires a dedication to raising funds and listed below are some opportunities you can be involved in to help this philanthropic endeavor.

On Monday, June 16, 2025 the Ohio Foundation for Music Education and the Ohio Music Education Association will co-host the 7th annual Strike-A-Chord Golf Outing at Chapel Hill Golf Course in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. The purpose of this outing is to raise funds for All-State ensemble participants scholarships. Come out and enjoy a round of golf on a unique and beautiful course in central Ohio. A portion of your registration fees will go directly to the Ohio Foundation for Music Education. There will be a variety of games to play during the round of golf, as well as raffles, give-aways, and good food and drinks during the event. If golf is not your game, come and volunteer to help make the day a success, or just come and enjoy the camaraderie. You can also participate by becoming a sponsor for the event. See the complete listing of sponsorship opportunities of the OFME website under Strike-A-Chord. You can also donate items to give, raffle or win! Thanks to all who helped make the Strike-A-Chord Golf Outing a success including the golf committee members, Kathleen McGrady, Rob Cintron, Phil Louden, Brian Stevens, and Jay Wardeska.

For the second year, the Riverfront Community Band presents Summer Winds at the Winery at Wolf Creek on Sunday, June 29, 2025, noon to 9 PM. This event is in collaboration with the Ohio Foundation for Music Education with a goal to raise funds to help keep music in our public schools. The event is hosted by the beautiful Winery at Wolf Creek in Barberton, Ohio, and features performances by 7 community bands throughout the day. Last year the event featured, The Youngstown Area Community Concert Band, Stan Hywet Goodyear Concert Band, Western Reserve Community Concert Band, Canfield Community Band, Cuyahoga Falls Community Band, Wadsworth Blue Tip Big Band, Riverfront Community Band, and the Brass Band of the Western Reserve. Along with the great music a variety of wines and food were available and many raffle items to win. We are looking for sponsors and volunteers to help run the event and support the goals of the Ohio Foundation for Music Education and the Ohio Music Education Association through this entertaining event. Please join us in June for a great day of music, wine, food, and fun while raising money for OFME!

The Ohio Foundation for Music Education will continue the annual 50/50 Raffle at the OMEA Professional Development Conference. Come to the OFME booth in the Exhibition Hall to buy tickets and chat. The easiest way to support OFME activities is to donate. Donation options are available on the OFME website through Venmo, or by submitting a donation form available on the website. The OFME Board of Directors are continually looking for sponsors at all levels. We reach out to corporations and individual donors for help, and also recommend becoming a Legacy Donor, giving to OFME as a lasting remembrance of all that OMEA has to offer to music students and teachers in Ohio.

I want to thank members for the Ohio Foundation for Music Education Board for their hard work and commitment, Sheryl Boyer, Jerry Pellegrino, Dan Ruckman, Gene Warman, Kari Willoughby and OMEA Executive Director, Jay Wardeska. Please join us at our events and help support music education in Ohio!

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