Taking Two Funds to the Top

IIn 1986, Irene Stare's late husband, NEC Life Overseer and Harvard University Department of Nutrition founder Dr. Frederick Stare, made his wife's birthday extra special by endowing a fund in violin studies in her name.

Now the former violinist, who studied at the Detroit Institute of Music and performed with local groups in cities including Grosse Point, Michigan, is leaving her own legacy at NEC. Through a generous contribution, she has raised the value of the Irene M. Stare Violin Scholarship to the Presidential level, ensuring that it will have maximum impact. She has similarly enhanced the value of the Helen Haxton Stare Voice Scholarship, a fund her husband created in 1980 in memory of his second wife. These two awards bring the total number of Presidential Scholarships at NEC to 14.

"I am aware that conservatories need support, and that there are young musicians who need help," said Stare. "This was something personal that I wanted to do."

Presidential Scholarships are NEC's most prestigious awards, providing full tuition to the exceptional students who receive them. They are the only awards to be announced by the President at convocation.

"We are deeply grateful to Irene," said Laurence Lesser, NEC Interim Chief Executive Officer and President Emeritus. "New England Conservatory has no greater need than financial aid for our gifted students. The Irene M. Stare Presidential Scholarship in Violin and the Helen Haxton Stare Presidential Scholarship in Voice will make a significant difference at NEC now and always."