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Sycamore – The newly created Sycamore Orchestra Endowment Fund will help support the orchestra program needs of Sycamore School District 427, according to a news release from the DeKalb County Community Foundation.
Orchestra teachers Ken and Amy Tonagi established the fund to meet their demands for a quality student experience and education.
Support from the Fund will benefit a variety of functions, including but not limited to guest clinician honoraria. Outdoor trip for music events. Purchasing instruments, technology, music, and supplies for the school.
“It is unique for a city the size of Sycamore to have a public school orchestra program,” Amy Tonaki said in a news release. “Over the years, this program has become part of several community traditions. Additionally, students have performed at weddings, nursing homes, and many private functions.
“My husband, Ken, and I want this program to grow and continue to have a positive impact on youth.”
Ken Tonaki was born and raised in Lombard. He received both his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Northern Illinois University. He has taught at Sycamore his entire career and is in his 28th year with the district, according to his news release.
Amy Tonaki was born in Danville and raised in Libertyville. Her father was her high school orchestra teacher. After her high school graduation, Amy earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Augustana University and her master’s degree from NIU. She has taught at Sycamore her entire career and is in her 19th year with the district.
Ken and Amy Tonaki have woven their lives into the Sycamore community, not only as teachers but also as residents raising their families in Sycamore. Their educational philosophy is to create a safe and nurturing environment for orchestra students and to spread the love of orchestral music to youth, their families, and the community.
“We are excited to work with the Tonaki family to create an endowment that will provide additional financial support to Sycamore School District orchestra programs for decades to come,” said Dan Templin, executive director of the foundation, in a release. I mentioned it in the. “Additional donors who can help this fund grow include DeKalb County’s orchestral music lovers, the families of students who have been positively impacted by the Sycamore Orchestra program, and the families whose lives will be forever enriched by the program’s faculty.” This includes alumni who have made music with us as well as with whom we have made music.
Donations to DCCF’s funds, including the Sycamore Orchestra Endowment Fund, can be made online at dekalbccf.org/donate or by mail to DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss establishing a philanthropic-aligned fund, please contact Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.
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