Please see below a message from our Minister of Music, Herman Hope:
“Thank you all so much for showing up to support me in this Continuing Education opportunity!! Salzburg is the capital of music and it will be such a wonder to be learning, growing, and performing where some of the greatest minds of music found their start!
To say I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from everyone couldn’t help but be an understatement, no matter how I try to phrase it. AUMC has always been famous for its support of the music program, so to see that support directed at me is humbling and beautiful. I set out with the goal of raising $8,000 in order to cover travel costs and tuition, knowing that I would happily cover the expenses of dinners and souvenirs while I’m there. I expected to be lucky enough to raise $5,000. However, with everyone’s generous support, I can happily say that we surpassed the $8,000 goal and continue to receive a few donations! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for rising to the occasion.
While, of course, the focus of this fundraising effort was on the monetary aspect, I count myself incredibly blessed and lucky to experience the less tangible side of this: the emotional support! I’ve received many letters with well-wishes and many of you have come up to me personally, letting me know how excited you are for me. To know I have so many people’s full support in this opportunity girds me and makes me even more excited!
I can’t wait to share what I learn and experience in Salzburg! I’ll take many pictures and write in a journal so that I have myriad stories to share. And thank you all, again, for showing up in support of me. For showing up in support of music. Thank you!”
