Music is the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit established to fund music programs in area schools and the community and is supported by a variety of corporate and private donations. We also administer the annual Mighty Uke Day Festival in Lansing, MI and net proceeds benefit the foundation.
The Linda Hess Memorial Fund
Linda Hess was an important member of the Lansing Area ukulele community as one of the East Lansing Senior Center’s Prime Time Strummers and in other informal ukulele groups in the community. She was kind, encouraging, and helpful to new students; helping them navigate through chord changes and other challenges playing the instrument. Linda’s creativity and positive spirit shone through in her clever rewrite of “You Are My Sunshine”, which she correctly felt was a depressing song, despite its cheery chorus. She touched many more people across the ukulele community than she could possibly know.
Linda passed away on September 5, 2022 after a six-week battle with an aggressive form of cancer, just weeks after performing with the PT Strummers at Mighty Uke Day 13 (pictured above in the pink hat). She left behind her loving husband Hugh and daughters Melissa and Meredith, their husbands Tim and Trevor, and four grandchildren, Alexander, Nicholas, Nina and Matthew, as well as many grateful ukulele friends.
Hugh Hess asked that Music is the Foundation establish a memorial fund in Linda’s honor to further spread the joy she found through the ukulele through funding of programs in the area as well as Mighty Uke Day. Funds collected will be used to purchase instruments, songbooks, scholarships, and instruction for a variety of ukulele educational experiences.
Any size donation is welcomed, and you can leave a personal note about Linda on the donation form if you wish.
If you wish to send a check or money order, please make it out to Music is the Foundation and mail to:
749 Cleo Street
Lansing, MI 48915
(make a note in the comment that it’s for the Linda Hess Memorial Fund)
Linda Hess Memorial Fund Sponsored and Potential Programs
Dexter Senior Center – Dexter, MI (Ukuleles donated October 2022, Songbooks donated September 2023)
Williamston Senior Center – Williamston, MI (Began in January 2023)
Bath Senior Center – Bath, MI (Began in March 2023)
Continued support of Mighty Uke Day festival
MUSIC IS THE FOUNDATION UPDATE FOR 2024
It’s been a challenging couple of years for many of us, with in-person classes and workshops at schools, libraries, and other community facilities severely curtailed by pandemic restrictions. During this time, Music is the Foundation has invested in technology to help us spread the joy of music virtually through Zoom and other methods. We are now pursuing new opportunities in area classrooms and communities.
We are looking at 2024 as continuing our program reboots; blending face-to-face instruction with connecting virtually. Stay tuned, it’s going to be an exciting learning adventure!
Present and Past Sponsored Programs
Kea’au High School (HI)
Orion Township (MI) Public Library
Bath Senior Center (MI)
Williamstone Senior Center (MI)
Family Ukulele Classes at the East Lansing (MI) Public Library
The Jungle Book Kids Musical Theater: Sigh School of Music (MI)
Family Ukulele Classes at Bath Township (MI) Public Library
Family Ukulele Classes at Grand Ledge Area (MI) Public Libraries
“Ukulele Paint & Play” REACH Art Center Lansing (MI)
Angel House Lansing (MI)
Peter White Public Library (Marquette, MI) ukulele lending program
Carnegie Public Library (Ishpeming, MI) ukulele lending program
Richland Community Library (Richland MI) ukulele lending program
Great Lakes Recovery program for teens (Negaunee, MI)
Marquette Alternative High School (Marquette, MI)
Hiawatha Music Co-Op School and Festival Programs (Marquette, MI)
Mather Elementary School (Munising, MI)
Portland Public Library (Portland, MI) after-school lessons
Delta District Library (Delta Township, MI) ukulele lending program
Jackson District Library (Jackson, MI) workshops
Charlevoix Public Library (Charlevoix, MI) workshops
Richland Community Library (Richland, MI) workshops and ukulele lending program
East Lansing Public Library (East Lansing, MI) after-school teen ukulele program
Indian Creek Elementary School (Chatham, ONT) workshops
Ukulele for the Classroom Teacher, Holt (MI) School District
Student ukulele programs in Lansing (MI) School District:
Attwood Elementary, Mt. Hope STEAM, Foster Community Center
Major Chords for Minors youth music programs, Saginaw (MI)
Student ukulele program, Grand Ledge (MI) School District
A+ International Ukulele Orchestra, A+ English School in East Lansing (MI)
Special Education music programs at Clinton County (MI) RESA
Special Education music programs at Eaton County (MI) RESA
Prime Time Strummers seniors ukulele programs, East Lansing (MI)
Guitars in the Classroom, Lansing (MI) School District, Holt (MI) School District
Student ukulele program at Highland Community School District, Washington County (IA)
Guitars for Kids, Clarkston (MI)
Great Lakes Folk Festival (MI)
Building Bridges with Music (MI)
Justice in Mental Health Drop-in Center Lansing (MI)
Head Start Lansing (MI) in conjunction with Sigh Studio of Music
East Lansing (MI) Public Library ukulele lending program
Donors include:
Personal Donations
We also have been honored to accept donations from a variety of individuals, most of who wish to remain anonymous. You may make a donation (talk to your tax preparer to determine how it applies to your return).
Online:
By Mail:
Music is the Foundation
749 Cleo Street
Lansing, MI 48915
