Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 66 F O R T H E L o v e O F . . . ANOTHER OUSTANDING MONTANA NONPROFIT. B O Z E M A N F R I E N D S O F M U S I C BACKGROUND AND MISSION Bozeman Friends of Music (BFOM) was established in 1985 with the mission of supporting and enhancing the choir, band, and orchestra programs in Bozeman Public Schools above and beyond the classroom experience. ey consider themselves basically the "booster club" for music in Bozeman's eight grade schools, two middle schools and one high school. ey sponsor many fundraising opportunities throughout the school year, including local traditions such as the Musical Instrument Swap and the very popular Bozeman High Hawks Night Live talent show. Last year, BFOM provided almost $45,000 in the form of student and teacher scholarships, high school travel group support, as well as supporting programs throughout K-12 Bozeman music classes. "e Bozeman Friends of Music scholarships offered to deserving students, many of them in financial need, have made a huge difference helping them continue their musical experience," explains Nathan Wilcox, Director of Bands at Sacajawea Middle School. "Specifically into the summer when many students lose many of skills they have worked on throughout the school year." "e Bozeman Friends of Music was generous enough to offer me a scholarship to con- tinue my education with summer classes," says a recent graduate. "I completed these classes as part of a masters degree in curriculum and instruction with an em- phasis in music which I feel has helped me become a better teacher. " A Boze- man 8th Grade student thanked them for a scholarship, saying, "I used it to go to the UM band camp, where I became a much better hornist. I even got first chair in our concert band! I also got to play in a horn ensemble, which I had never done before. It was an amazing expe- rience, and I learned so much." Bozeman High School has the only competitive marching band in Mon- tana. BFOM helps with travel costs, al- lowing the band to compete with other regional bands in an out of state competition each year. "Our single performance is the equivalent of a state championship without ever having Bozeman Senior High Marching Band Sacajewea Middle School choir, orchestra, and band students

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