Music School receives major donation for capital campaign

North Valley Music School in Whitefish has received a $10,000 capital campaign gift from the National Academy of Sciences.

The donation comes through a designation from Kirk Bryan Jr., the father of the school’s co-founder Betsy Kohnstamm.

The music school is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching Montana communities through music education, appreciation, and performance by offering musical opportunities for all ages. It is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The community music school is actively seeking funds for Be Instrumental, the capital campaign to build a new state-of-the-art music school and campus in Flathead County.

Bryan of the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and Princeton University was awarded the NAS Alexander Agassiz Medal for his pioneering and visionary efforts in oceanography and climate science. It is presented every five years and carries with it a prize of $20,000.

"We are so moved by Kirk’s generosity to help make North Valley Music School the foremost nonprofit community music school in the state," said Executive Director Deidre Corson. "The relationship between the arts and sciences has a long history of providing the world with innovative thinkers and we are grateful for his investment in the future of Montana music education.”

The capital campaign is focused on raising the final $2.3 million of its $6.5 million goal. Multi-year pledges can be made and naming rights for studios, collaborative spaces, and wings are still available. Donors can also purchase personalized music notes to adorn the Music Tree.

To learn more about the project and donate to Be Instrumental, visit www.nvms.me or call 406-862-8074.