In her letter to the Board, Peggy said, "It has been the honor of my life to work with incredible faculty and staff members, trustees, supporters, and colleagues since 1984 to build this far-reaching musical family. I have learned so much, and been influenced personally, musically, and professionally in ways I never could have imagined."
Some of you have been our builders and investors since the very beginning, and your beautiful 4-year-olds from those days have now grown into amazing parents with musical families. And some of you have passionately taken the torch from our founding families to strengthen the Music School’s future, promising exciting new opportunities for the next generation.
Despite the pandemic, and in many ways because of it, the Music School is the strongest organizationally that it has been in the past ten years. The incredible generosity, spirited energy, and heartfelt confidence from the entire Music School community this past year, has enabled many musical and financial successes.
Over 37 years, Peggy has created a unique New Hampshire institution with a national reputation that feels like its description: a home for musical friendships. Under her energetic leadership, the Music School has helped tens of thousands of students of all ages grow not only in skill but in the love of sharing and creating community through music. We – all her students, faculty, staff, audience members, partners, and generous supporters – cannot thank her enough.
Our leadership transition plans are well underway. Trustee Karen Jantzen and I are leading the process to engage interim management for the next school year, and trustees Carl Cooley and Doug Bechtel will co-chair the Search Committee for the next president over the coming year.
The mission of the Music School has endured throughout its history as a shining light—an inclusive welcome to music-making that is barrier-free and joyful. I have great confidence that, with your help, this treasured musical home will provide joyful opportunity for future generations of Music School friends.
With gratitude,
Rick Simpson
Board Chair
