Music changes lives. So can you.

Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music is built on a tradition of excellence in music education, performance and research across genres and styles. The breadth and depth of our musical program, along with our talented alumni, have built our reputation as one of North America’s finest music faculties. Through giving, you can enhance the experiences that will define tomorrow’s most influential musicians, creators and cultural ambassadors.

Support students directly

Student support is a vital lifeline for students, enabling them to thrive academically and personally. Student support provides access to things like financial relief through awards, scholarships and bursaries, as well as experiential learning opportunities and wellness initiatives — opening doors to education, easing financial stress and allowing students to focus on achieving their full potential.

The Don Wright Faculty of Music earmarks dedicated funds to ensure that qualified students get the support they need to attend the program of their choice, regardless of their financial circumstances. To remove financial barriers for all of our applicants and ensure our program can admit the most promising students, we rely on your support. By establishing awards, scholarships and bursaries, you can transform what’s possible for the most deserving candidates – all while attracting and retaining the best and brightest students to study music at Western.

Our commitment to students

At Western, we believe every qualified student should have the opportunity to pursue their chosen program, regardless of financial circumstances. Yet the need for student support continues to outpace available resources.

With the help of alumni, friends and partners through our All in Campaign, Western is working to expand the number of awards available, easing this burden and helping students focus on achieving their full potential.

Two Don Wright Faculty of Music donors, Mara Hitchins and Dr. Emilie Newell, have chosen to create awards inspired by people and passions that are deeply meaningful to them.

Mara’s story

For Mara Hitchins, music, dance and Western are all connected to personal memories and lasting relationships.

Mara chose to establish the Hitchins Award in Artistic Performance, awarded to a full-time undergraduate student in any program within the Don Wright Faculty of Music based on academic achievement and performance excellence. She has a particular interest in supporting students completing a Minor in Dance, reflecting her own longstanding connection to dance and the positive impact it has had on her life.

Her decision to create the award was also a way of honouring her late husband and his connection to Western.

“Western had a tremendous impact on Graham's life and starting this award was my way of honouring him; but in addition to that, music and dance has filled my heart since I was a young girl and I wanted to inspire that same love in students at the Don Wright Faculty of Music.”

For Mara, giving is about more than financial assistance. It is about keeping a love of the arts alive and helping the next generation of performers experience the same sense of connection and possibility.

Emilie’s story

Dr. Emilie Newell’s motivation for giving to music is equally personal.

Her sister, Sylvia Novak, was a graduate of the Don Wright Faculty of Music and an accomplished, promising violinist. In her early 20s, Sylvia developed rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that ended her dream of pursuing a career in music.

Emilie understands both the transformative potential and the financial realities of postsecondary education. She earned her degree in Medicine from Western and knows firsthand the commitment required to pursue an education and build a future.

Her desire to honour Sylvia’s musical talent ultimately led her to establish the Dr. Emilie Novak Newell Award. The award is presented to a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Music based on academic achievement, with preference given to students who demonstrate performance excellence on a string instrument.

For Emilie, the award provides a way for Sylvia’s love of music to continue inspiring students.

“My sister Sylvia was a talented violinist with a promising career ahead of her. Since she could no longer pursue a career in music due to her condition, I felt compelled to keep her love for music alive through this award. Western is where she studied and nurtured her talent, so what better place to do this than at the Don Wright Faculty of Music.”

An opportunity to make a lasting difference

Mara and Emilie have each found a deeply personal reason to support music students. Their stories are different, but the impact of their generosity is shared.

Their support creates pathways for students to continue their studies, pursue their passions and imagine what comes next.

If you are interested in supporting students at the Don Wright Faculty of Music, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to Carole Metron at cmetron3@uwo.ca or 519-661-2111 ext. 85695.

To learn more about supporting music students, or to make a gift now please visit the Don Wright Faculty of Music Giving page.