One of the purposes of Fox Islands Concerts is to encourage and promote music education on the islands of North Haven and Vinalhaven. We provide grants to each island school for specific musical needs (books, music, instruments, etc.) and music-related scholarships to students.

Here are some of the recent educational programs we’ve supported in part or in whole:

In 2019 Fox Islands Concerts helped sponsor a field trip enabling Vinalhaven School students to hear a rehearsal performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. [read more]

In 2020 we provided a grant to the Vinalhaven School to assist in the purchase of a harp for student instruction and use. As a result, one student is now studying harp in college, while also double majoring in music and French.

In 2021 a grant from Fox Islands Concerts made it possible for the North Haven Community School to purchase an easily transportable electric piano that can be used by students taking piano courses for credit.

In 2022, Fox Islands Concerts sponsored a field trip to Portland for students in high school music and art classes. As teacher William Trevaskis reported, “We first visited the Portland Museum of Art (where we even got to see a Harry Bertoia Sonambient sculpture … so cool) and then we were treated to a lovely tour of the Maine College of Art and Design, where they now offer a minor in music thanks to the Bob Crewe Foundation. Monday night was our trip to the Symphony where, among other things, we got to hear and see 99 musicians perform Stravinsky’s Le Sacre du Printemps at maximum volume – the way it was meant to be heard. I can’t thank you enough for your support of our school’s artistic/musical adventures! It is wonderful to share these experiences with our students, and I know it changes their perspectives on art and music in wonderful ways.”

In 2023 trombonist Art Baron returned to Vinalhaven and North Haven to work for a week with music classes in both schools. His visit was underwritten by Fox Islands Concerts and Partners in Island Education. Once again, he was enthusiastically received. Following his stay he wrote: “My last ensemble today on Vinalhaven was with Bill Trevaskis’s 4th & 5th graders.  It was a big band, about 20 kids. A blast!” See photos of his sessions here.

It is our hope in coming years to promote other musical opportunities and to bring other artists to the islands during the school year to interact with the students and with the island population in general. If you are an island resident and are interested in a grant from Fox Islands Concerts, please contact info@foxislandsconcerts.org.