Peter R. Marsh Foundation

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Camas, WA
Peter R. Marsh Foundation

Each year, the Foundation awards hundreds of Scholarships and Grants to public school teachers and students nationwide.

To nominate a student, apply for a music grant, or for more information, see the website: www.prmfoundation.org

06/19/2026

Music Grant: "I absolutely love this program because of how the kids speak about their experience after the fact. They go in so nervous. They don't know what to say or how to handle an awkward situation, but they also relax once they start singing. After they're done with their performance, they have a blast being able to talk to everyone about it. They learn how to speak kindly and gently to another human being, which is especially important when they speak to their friends rudely every day. They get to visibly see the impact their music and presence has on their audience. Throughout the school year, I constantly talk about the power of music and how important it is to sing like what you do matters. They finally got to see it in action! "

06/17/2026

Music Grant: "My most memorable moment was when one of the residents, a retired musician, asked if he could play his violin with our orchestra students. We had him sit in with our violin section, and you could see him talking about the music with the students. It was a great opportunity for students to see that music is something you can do for your whole life. He was very appreciative of having a chance to play with the students. "

06/15/2026

Music Grant: "A standout moment was watching students take risks by volunteering for solos in a senior center setting. What made it powerful was the immediate and supportive response from the audience, seniors leaning in, smiling, and applauding enthusiastically. In one instance, a student who had been hesitant earlier in the year chose to sing a solo and afterward stayed to have a long conversation with a resident about music and life experiences. It was a full-circle moment of growth in both confidence and connection."

06/13/2026

Music Grant: "In the days leading up to the performance my students consistently expressed trepidation about meeting the seniors. Most students were adamant that they would not talk to any seniors. I encouraged them to just make an introduction. I was so encouraged to see my students walk up and make those introductions and carry on a brief conversation without a cell phone in their hand! The experience let my students see that seniors are people too, just like they are. Honestly, I was just as nervous as my students about traveling to the senior centers. The grant was the encouragement I needed to pull me out of my comfort zone and engage with a demographic that I'm a little uncomfortable with. These performances ended up being some of the most rewarding that we did this year. Our audiences were so appreciative and warm. It is now an event that I want to make sure we do every year!"

06/11/2026

Music Grant: "This has encouraged my students to explore music from different eras as well as select a variety of music to perform as solos based on their personal preference that they otherwise wouldn't have learned. Students practiced hard at home to prepare small ensemble, solo, and duet performances to showcase to residents."

06/09/2026

Music Grant: "It has given them a sense of purpose. Students are more "bought-in" to rehearsals because they know they are preparing for a real-world audience that truly appreciates them. It has fostered a more compassionate and driven classroom culture. Students moved beyond the "technical" side of music and saw the "human" side. They learned empathy and social grace by interacting with a different generation. It transformed their performance from a graded assignment into a meaningful act of community service."

06/07/2026

Music Grant: "This gave the students and me an opportunity to reflect on why this type of outreach is so important. Listening to the students' experiences after each visit was the most rewarding part of this program. Every one of our young musicians seems to have found joy in sharing their music with the seniors, and after each performance they all are more eager to get back to playing. This program seems to have increased their interest in, and desire to play music."

06/05/2026

Music Grant: "The students gained experience interacting with people of different generations. My fifth and sixth grade students spent an afternoon playing games with the seniors at the Senior Center. The students remarked that they loved learning traditional card games from the seniors and learning how to play jacks. A few of my students also bonded with some of the seniors through farming. Our kids live in a rural community, and many of the seniors had stories to tell about farming "back in the day." They had just learned about the dust bowl in history, and they appreciated hearing from people firsthand how it affected life here. "

06/03/2026

Music Grant: (long read, but excellent!)

"The seniors loved our visits. In December we did a sing-along in front of the fireplace in the foyer. The residents loved hearing the ukuleles and having the students sing songs they knew as well.

"For February, we took heart balloon necklaces for everyone in the facility. After our performance the students talked with those in attendance and then visited rooms of those who could not attend due to physical issues.

"In March we took green bead necklaces and performed Disney songs with the ukuleles for some of them. We also had choreography for this one- the residents loved hearing familiar favorites. After the songs the students talked to each resident and some were invited to sing again as solos for their friends in their rooms. The residents directed my students who to visit. My students loved visiting the rooms. The residents showed them their special treasures and shared stories about them.

"My students met a gentleman who built model boats. He loved showing them his workspace and several finished products.

"One lady is a former PE teacher and plays ukulele. I asked her to teach some of my boys how to finger pick. She spent 30 mins with these 7th grade boys and taught them 2 patterns. They enjoyed this so much, and I know she did too. She told me if I ever needed strings replaced she would love to change them for me. We exchanged numbers and a week later I took her 5 ukuleles that needed new strings. She had them done the next day!

"For our last performance, April, we had a recital after school before supper time. My students performed a serious repertoire for them. This included 2 piano solos and ukulele/vocal duet. The students used our classroom instruments to practice their pieces for this event. This facility has a Steinway Grand piano. My students loved performing on it. The residents loved hearing them on it. I don't think it gets played much. We took Spring Poems printed out and had spring themed lapel pins attached for them to wear. They loved them. A few asked for extras for their family members, which of course I gladly gave them. They had some of my students read the poems to them. So we had bonus performances- Dramatic Readings at Supper :) That was fun!!! "

06/01/2026

Music Grant: "I think that this opportunity for my students will be a core memory for many of them. Upon returning back to the school, many of my students were in tears because of how overwhelmed they were by the experience. I heard many comments about how touched they were by the stories that these adults had told them or were overwhelmed and the simple gratitude shown to them for just singing. I received many emails from other teachers emphasizing what a powerful moment this was for them. One of my students was having a conversation with a gentleman about this being the only visitor that he had had in 6 months and this hit her very hard. We were able to have a conversation about sometimes simple contributions of time can be the biggest blessing."

Address

19215 SE 34th St Street 106/397
Camas, WA
98607

Website

http://www.prmfoundation.org/

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