Benjamin A. Getchell Music Scholarship

Please consider a tax deductible donation to continue the legacy of music and to honor alumni Benjamin A. Getchell, 10/01/1998 - 04/22/2019, Shining Mountain Waldorf School Class of 2017.

The Benjamin A. Getchell Music Scholarship is awarded annually to support students in the SMWS music program with funds to strengthen and enhance their individual practice. Recipients of this award display a passion and connection to music. This scholarship was established to honor the memory of an exceptional student and alumni of Shining Mountain. Ben was an accomplished and talented violinist and lover of music.

Ben was trained in Suzuki method and classical music but had a joy for playing epic movie scores such as "Harry Potter", "Star Wars", “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Last of the Mohicans”. As Ben matured his focus changed towards favorite fiddle tunes “Swallowtail Jig”, and “The Irish Washerwoman”. Ben loved to play anything at warp speed like “The Storm” by Yanni.

His mother, Katerina Getchell, was a single mother receiving tuition assistance. She was extremely grateful for the support of the music scholarship program for Ben’s private violin lessons. Without the private lessons Ben wouldn’t have been able to achieve the level of expertise and resulting joy from playing that he did. 

When Benjamin passed, Katerina created a memorial that would give other students the same opportunity to enjoy the passion of playing an instrument that Ben had. 

Supporting private lessons and instrument rentals not only supports the individual student, but also the music faculty because all the orchestra students then have an equal level of proficiency. The result is demonstrated twice a year at the Spring and Fall concerts where the entire school gets to enjoy the harmonic results of all the students’ hard work. Your support is greatly appreciated!