A fitting legacy of the woman who inspired it, The Genevieve McGiffert Memorial Fund for the Musical Performing Arts has distributed $6,500 over the past 6 years to promote the vocal arts in Williamsburg. “It’s exactly what Genevieve would have wanted to be remembered by – a continuing legacy of contributing to the musical life of this area”, her husband Michael McGiffert said when he and Genevieve’s longtime friend Linda Baker founded the Field of Interest fund in 2007.
Just as Genevieve – through her teaching, conducting and leadership – spent her life building community through music, recipients of the fund are organizations whose mission is to both bring musical performances to Williamsburg and to give area residents the chance to perform. The fund helps support a variety of programs by local organizations in a range of styles: recent sponsored performances include the Williamsburg Symphonia’s Holiday Pops concert and “Monthly Musicales” by The Williamsburg Music Club.
Through its administration by the Williamsburg Community Foundation, the fund offers continued support to an organization that was particularly important to Genevieve, The Williamsburg Choral Guild, where she was Artistic Director for a number of years. This year’s grant will fund a joint program between the Choral Guild and the Williamsburg Youth Chorale in a cabaret-style program designed to attract a broad audience of listeners. As Elaine Reubush, Grants Chair for the Guild, states, “Without the support of organizations such as the Williamsburg Community Foundation, the Guild would not be able to bring high quality performances to the Williamsburg community at prices that are affordable. The continued support for the Guild through the McGiffert Fund is an appropriate way to honor Genevieve’s life and her love of the choral performing arts. We are very grateful for their support.”