David Ferguson Music Fund Application Form

Background
The former St. Matthew’s United Church, Calgary, faithfully created this fund as a legacy to honour David Ferguson, an influential and important leader at St. Matthew’s and in the choral community in Calgary, to continue the ministry of music for participants in United Church communities across Chinook Winds Region or its successor bodies.

Purposes of the David Ferguson Music Fund

1. To inspire communities of faith to experience God through music;
2. To support music learning, education, and growth for children, youth and young adults through The United Church of Canada, with particular attention to choral and vocal musicianship;
3. To support program planning for music education in faith communities in Chinook Winds Region or its successor body, with particular attention to choral and vocal musicianship.
4. To support other musical initiatives (of any age group) which inspire and encourage communities of faith within the Chinook Winds Region.

David Howard Ferguson and The United Church of Canada
Born in Calgary in 1940, David Ferguson grew up in a musical family. He enjoyed a long career as a chorister, soloist, teacher and conductor of school programs for orchestra and band, vocal coach, arranger, and adjudicator but is best known for his many choirs and ensembles over the years in Calgary, working with singers of all ages and experience.

David’s early involvement with sacred music in the United Church effectively ‘set the stage’ for what was to become a long and recognized career. His singing talent as a young child was spotted early at Wesley United Church, where he was soon to be performing solos as a boy soprano and was directing the Children's Choir at Wesley by the age of 15. A few years later he was conducting the Calgary United Church Young People’s Choir, a city-wide group of singers that performed for various local congregations where he met a lovely alto in the choir, Barbara. They were married in 1962, and together raised three musical children.

David went on to become a Music Teacher, retiring from Western Canada High School in 1995. By that time, he was the Artistic Director of the Mount Royal Conservatory of Music Choral Program and later served as Chorusmaster of the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus. His choirs won innumerable medals at festivals and toured both nationally and internationally. In addition to his choirs’ accomplishments, David received many recognition awards for his achievements over the years.

In all this time, he and his new family continued to maintain a connection with the United Church. After completing his master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Colorado, he subsequently served as minister of music at Southminster United Church, St. Andrew’s United Church, and then St. Matthew’s United Church. Following his retirement from St. Matthew’s, he was honoured with a special legacy from the congregation, resulting in the creation of the David Ferguson Music Fund.

These bursaries will be a way of celebrating and continuing his legacy - a lifelong dedication toward creating and sharing the joy of music. Mr. Ferguson’s years of musicianship and service changed the lives of practically everyone who made music with him, and he is honoured to now be able to help a new generation pursue their musical dreams.

Please note: Your proposal will be considered by the members of the David Ferguson Fund committee. Grants will be awarded twice yearly to meet fall and winter projects. In addition, we ask for a brief report on how the funds were used and the outcomes from the project or program you have undertaken, once complete.

Applicant details
We are accepting applications for music projects. Projects could include music lessons, money for musical development, assistance for choral or other musical groups, or any other initiative that fits within these stated purposes.

Please provide us with the details of your project including its budget by submitting the form below:

Name (person or organization)*

What amount of grant are you seeking?*

Community of Faith*

Name of main contact person for application*

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityProvince

Postal Code

Email address of main contact*

example@example.com

Best Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Age of applicant OR ages of those the program funding will benefit*

12 or under13-1718-3031+

Indigenous Identity: (It is the intention of the funding body to ensure Indigenous Youth and Young Adults will have equal access to grants). Will your program directly benefit Indigenous Youth and Young Adults in the Chinook Winds Region (the applicant and/or other individuals or groups.*

YesNo

Briefly tell us about yourself and your relationship with music. What have been your successes and struggles on your musical journey so far? (Maximum of 250 words)*

Tell us about your musical ambitions. What specific project will you use the grant funding for? (Maximum of 250 words)*

How will this grant help you achieve your goals? (Maximum of 150 words)*

Have you applied to the David Ferguson Music Fund previously? (If yes, please include the year).*

Who from your your community of faith is supporting you in this application? e.g., A minister, teacher, choir director, etc). Please provide a name, email address and best phone number for this individual. *

How much in total funding will you need for this project? *

When will you need funds? *

Do you have other ways of helping fund your project? If so, please describe (please include all sources including self-funding, organization funding or other potential grants/bursaries). *

Please note that grant recipients are asked to submit a final report at the completion of their project to the David Ferguson Music Fund Committee. These reports may also be used in public Chinook Winds Region communication (newsletters, social media, etc.) about the David Ferguson Music Fund's work.*

I will submit a final report and understand that this material may be used in public communication about the David Ferguson Music Fund.I will submit a final report and would then like to discuss further how the material will be used in public communication.

Any other information we should know to help make our decision about funding? (Maximum 250 words). *

Please upload your project's proposed budget.*

Project Details