Sonja Peterson Behrens Visiting Artist Fund
On December 9, 2024 we lost a treasured member of the Don Wright Faculty of Music Community in former Dean, Dr. Jack Behrens. By way of a generous planned gift, Dr. Behrens’ contributions to the Canadian musical life will continue to live on through the establishment of the Sonja Peterson Behrens Visiting Artist Fund. The fund will support performances by visiting artists from across the globe, including the longstanding "Fridays @ 12:30" concert series that Sonja was instrumental in establishing many years ago.
The "Fridays" concert series continues to bring in eclectic performers of the Classical, Contemporary, and World Music genres. Faculty member and current series coordinator Todd Wieczorek reflected on the importance of this series and its impact:
Former Deans Betty Anne Younker and Jack Behrens in March 2015 after attending a "Fridays" concert that was supported by the Sonja Behrens Memorial Fund, newly established at the time.
"Dr. Sonja Behrens established the 'Fridays at Noon' concert series, which brought members of the community, the greater campus and the Faculty of Music together. These free concerts were and still are accessible to all and feature world-class performers and scholars. It is in that spirit the concert series continues. Thanks to the generous gift left by her husband and former Dean, Dr. Jack Behrens, we will continue to honour her legacy of providing wonderful music accessible to all."
The Don Wright Faculty of Music is deeply grateful to Dr. Behrens as well as our other alumni and donors who through their vision, open doors of opportunity, today and for generations to come.
Dean Michael Kim noted "Dr. Jack Behrens’ legacy as a musician, scholar, and former Dean of the Don Wright Faculty of Music continues to resonate deeply within our community. Through this generous planned gift, he ensures that the spirit of curiosity, generosity, and artistic excellence that he and Sonja so beautifully embodied will live on. The Sonja Peterson Behrens Visiting Artist Fund is a lasting testament to their shared belief in the power of music to connect people, cultures, and generations."
Should leaving a planned gift to the Don Wright Faculty of Music be something you would like to learn more about, please contact Carole Metron at cmetron3@uwo.ca or at 519-661-2111 x85695.
Donor Inquiries
Carole Metron
Senior Development Officer
cmetron3@uwo.ca
519-661-2111 x85695
