During fall of 2021 Marion High School choir, show choir and musical director Jonathan Dyrland submitted a funded Marion School Foundation grant to replace an older acoustic piano in the practice room with a new Clavinova keyboard.
Per a final grant report, “The piano has been installed and is being used every day! The students are extremely thankful for the working piano and students can be heard rehearsing throughout the day.”
When asked about lessons learned from this project we learned that MHS student Ethan Hangartner, Class of 2023, used the Clavinova to prepare for an audition to sing the National Anthem at the State Wrestling Tournament and he was selected. The Clavinova helped him achieve this goal.
The Marion Foundation’s grant program provides teachers an opportunity to receive funding for projects that benefit students in the Marion Independent School District. Grants are made possible because of generous contributions the Foundation receives throughout the year from both businesses and individuals as well as a number of educational funds that are invested with the Foundation for long-term benefit.