By Jennifer Mayer
An endowment to the Brigham Young University School of Music will give BYU the means to focus on music in the family.
The children of Geraldine Swenson Watkins gave the endowment to honor Watkins. Watkins gave piano and vocal lesson to those who lived in Salt Lake from 1937-1944 until she moved to New York.
Watkins was born in Montpelier, Idaho and named after a famous opera singer who studied at The Julliard School in New York City.
After living in Salt Lake City, Watkins settled in New York for the rest of her life. Throughout her life, Watkins served as the ward organist and a piano and vocal teacher. She died in 1981.
Her children officially announced the endowment during BYU”s performance of the classic opera Carmen last Friday in the deJong Concert Hall.
It will provide for Internet resources, music workshops on campus, research grants and creative projects supporting music and the family. It will also fund broadcasts of music courses and appropriate family music.
“This gift will bless many families for generations to come, and we are deeply grateful to the Watkins family for their support,” said David Randall, director of the School of Music. “Our students and faculty look forward to working together to help families learn and enjoy music.”
During a commemorative ceremony honoring her life, Watkin”s son, Stan, said family life is enhanced by music.
“Family helps produce music as music helps produce a family,” Stan Watkins said.
The endowment is an extension of his mother”s lifelong love of family and her commitment to music, he said.
Although there is an indelible connection between music and family, the School of Music has never been able to focus on its importance, said music professor Andy Dabczynski.
“It is an opportunity for families to bind themselves to eternity through the wonder of music,” said Randall.
Music has the ability to help children define who they are, said BYU President Merrill J. Bateman during the celebration.
“It is evident what music can do.” He said. “How important it is to be able to help families explore the beauty and wonders of music.”
Although Watkins never attended BYU, seven of her eight children and several of grandchildren have.
