We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of donors who have elected to honor or memorialize loved ones through a named fund in our Scholarship Program.
To donate to an existing named scholarship fund or to establish a new one, please click "Donate" above. Establishing a new named fund requires a minimum donation of $500. Both credit cards and checks are accepted.
by Jan Antholz
William (Bill) Antholz was a lifelong music educator and professional singer in Minnesota, continuing in retirement as an active member of his church choir and as director of Venice Musicale's Encore Chorus for ten years from 2008–2018. The only thing Bill loved more than music was his family: his wife of fifty-nine years, Jan Antholz, and their two daughters, Wendy and Teri. Jan is also a lifelong musician and, after retiring from her own career in music education, she became Encore's accompanist and Bill's partner in leading the Chorus. His easy banter with Jan, punctuated by well-told stories and impromptu jokes during performances, gained the affection of audiences throughout the Venice area. Bill often spoke about their daughters, recalling how much he loved the fact that the kids didn't seem to mind sharing school with him, often holding hands with him on their way down the hall.
Wendy Antholz died in 2013 after an extended battle with cancer. She earned her college degree in art history, wielding her considerable talents with a camera in the US and Europe for many years. She also worked at the Ameriprise Corporation in Minneapolis. Wendy loved music as well and, with her sister, Teri, sang in many choirs directed by their parents.
by Annette Ballou
Paul H. Brainard was a Bach scholar and musicologist as well as a fine violinist. He taught at both Princeton and Yale in their graduate music programs. Bob Ballou was a middle school educator and administrator of a number of schools both in Kansas and Connecticut. Annette says, "I was privileged to have been married to each of them, for they added joy and a richness to my life and to the lives of everyone they touched."
by Michelle Bolduc
In addition to his beloved principessa Sandy, his cherished children, grandchildren, and innumerable friends, his delight in golf and in the mythical quest of the never-completed DIY project, music was one of Richard J. Bolduc’s passions. His clear bass-baritone rang out in a cappella choirs and in barbershop quartets, including the Venice Gondoliers, the Lemon Bay Chord Company, the Encore Chorus, and Venice Musicale (for whom he most recently served as Treasurer). He especially enjoyed singing songs that made the audience laugh with delight! His family honors his memory with this scholarship, carrying on his love for music in the melodies made by young musicians.
by Judy Bloch and Donald Cohn
This award was founded in 1991 to honor Thelma's lifelong dedication to music as a professional pianist. She began playing at the age of three and, at fifteen, won a piano scholarship to study music at Syracuse University. Thelma was a much-sought-after accompanist, and was accompanist/arranger for a one-woman Broadway show, "From Bea To You," starring Bea Solomon, performing hundreds of shows over fifteen years. In retirement, Thelma volunteered as an accompanist with numerous organizations, including Venice Middle School and the Cecilian Music Society (now known as Venice Musicale.) Thelma celebrated her 100th birthday in 2015, and still enjoyed playing Chopin's "Fantasie Impromptu" for friends and family. Thelma was 101 years young when she passed away in 2016.
by Nina Collins and Gail Collins
The Speir Collins Award is given to support young people in furthering their music education. It serves as a fitting memorial to James Speir Collins whose long life was enriched by his love of learning, music, and the arts. A gifted singer, he, in turn, enriched the lives of many through his musical performances in churches, concert halls, and community gatherings from his childhood years into his 90s.
by Lee Fanning Hall
John (Jack) Fanning was a man of many talents. As a Green Beret in the U.S. Army, he spoke several languages. As an employee of Lockheed Martin, he specialized in computer forms design. He was a gifted writer but his true love was music. When he was 5 years old, his mother taught him to play piano. As a teenager, he played drum in a fife and drum corps. Those two instruments led him directly to the vibraphone and his idol, Lionel Hampton. He played jazz for many years, both in Monterey, California, and here in Venice, Florida. He was one of the original founders of the Monterey Bay Hot Jazz Society as well as South County Jazz. His Irish tenor voice could be heard in many venues around Venice and Sarasota. I got my love of Jazz from my father and hope upcoming young musicians will carry on that love.
by Jack Gallagher
Patricia Gallagher was blessed with many talents, including a most beautiful alto singing voice as well as being an accomplished pianist. Throughout her adult life, she shared those talents in several choral groups in Michigan and in Florida, including the Encore Chorus. Having served on the board of many of those organizations over the years, she was most proud to have been the Chairperson of Venice Musicale's Scholarship Program because of the opportunity it gives to aspiring young musicians. In 2013, Pat joined the chorus of angels in Heaven.
by Carole Altman
This award is in memory of and to honor my dear mother, Kathleen Gotham. Her beautiful voice inspired my love of music at an early age. She sang in a ladies’ choir that entertained seniors, and I feel her caring spirit when I sing with Encore as we, too, entertain at various assisted living facilities.
