JAVS Spring 2025

Development Corner An Exciting Milestone and a New Vision The AVS Announces the Education Endowment Campaign

The AVS Finance & Development Committee is happy to announce that the endowment for the David Dalton Research Competition is now fully funded! This milestone is a testament to the incredible generosity and dedication of Tom and Polly Tatton, Dwight Pounds, and a host of generous contributors who participated in the DDRC Giving Circle , whose support ensures that this prestigious competition will continue to inspire and recognize outstanding viola research for many years to come. advocate for viola research, the David Dalton Research Competition was established by the AVS to encourage and recognize excellence in viola-related research among students and emerging scholars. Dr. Dalton, a student of the legendary William Primrose , collaborated with Primrose on his memoir Walk on the North Side and Playing the Viola: Conversations with William Primrose , and in founding the Primrose International Viola Archive – the largest collection of materials relating to the viola in the world. Dr. Dalton served as the third president of the AVS (1986-1990), as well as president of the International Viola Society and editor of the Journal of the American Viola Society . Dedicated to expanding knowledge of the viola through historical research, performance practice, and pedagogy, he was instrumental in documenting the legacy of Primrose and contributed significantly to viola literature through his writings and transcriptions. Since its inception, the competition has been a cornerstone of AVS’s commitment to promoting and supporting viola research by providing a platform for young scholars to explore a wide range of topics, from Founded in 1999 and named in honor of Dr. David Dalton , a distinguished scholar, performer, and

historical analyses of composers and performers to contemporary advancements in technique, repertoire, and pedagogy. Winning papers have often been featured in the J ournal of the American Viola Society (JAVS) , helping to shape ongoing discussions in the viola community. Thanks to the commitment of donors to the Dalton Fund, we can now guarantee continued support of this important competition, ensuring that future generations of scholars will have the opportunity to contribute to and expand research on all aspects of the viola. The AVS extends its deepest gratitude to all who contributed— your generosity will make a lasting impact. Looking Ahead: The AVS Education Fund Campaign With this milestone achieved, the AVS is excited to embark on a new initiative: the AVS Education Fund Campaign . This new endowment will support the AVS Educator Mini-Grant program, which provides AVS members with financial assistance for innovative educational projects, professional development, and resources that directly enhance viola education. These annual grants help teachers develop new curricula, attend professional workshops, invest in teaching materials, and bring new opportunities to their students. By investing in this initiative, we ensure that viola students at all levels have access to the highest quality instruction and learning experiences. Inspired by to the generous contribution of an anonymous donor in Fall 2024, we recently completed a matching campaign that raised over $8000 to establish this new endowment, and our goal is to raise $8000 per year to fully fund the endowment in eight years. One generous gift during our fall campaign demonstrated the

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Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 41, No. 1, Spring 2025