As a community bank dedicated to the citizens of the region, Leominster-based Rollstone Bank & Trust shares Indian Hill Music’s commitment to improving the quality of life of our neighbors throughout the area. As a testament to their commitment to our shared communities, Rollstone Bank Charitable Foundation has awarded Indian Hill Music a fifty thousand dollar grant to support our instrumental music and ensemble education program for students in Fitchburg and Leominster, and to support the organization’s growth as we prepare to move to our new location in Groton in fall, 2022.

The grant supports Indian Hill Music’s partnerships in two historically underfunded districts. At three public middle schools in Fitchburg, our professional faculty offer lessons in band and string instruments and ensemble instruction. In Leominster at the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster, Indian Hill faculty offer after-school and summer lessons and classes on ukulele and percussion.“Music programs in public schools are often underfunded,” said Martin F. Connors, Jr., President & CEO of Rollstone Bank & Trust. “Rollstone Bank has been a long-time supporter of Indian Hill Music School and we are honored to help them provide this very important education to the middle school students of Leominster and Fitchburg.”

Now in its fourth year, Indian Hill Music’s school partnership at McKay Arts Academy in Fitchburg rolled out the school’s first concert band program, and provides free band instrument and ensemble instruction to over 50 fifth through eighth grade students each week during the school day. Experienced Indian Hill faculty offer lessons in traditional band instruments – woodwinds, brass, and percussion – and conduct the multi-level student concert bands, culminating in their performing together in two annual school concerts.

At Fitchburg’s Longsjo and Memorial Middle Schools, an experienced Indian Hill violin instructor has been working with students since 2019 to provide string lessons and ensemble instruction. Although both programs have been on hiatus during the pandemic, Indian Hill faculty are offering private lessons to some of these students online. A new in-person bucket drumming class is currently in session — with safe distancing and following all COVID safety recommendations — at the Boys & Girls Club. Indian Hill’s robust in-person school partnership programs will commence once the districts deem it safe to do so.

“Rollstone Bank & Trust is helping Indian Hill Music at an extraordinary time. Even during the pandemic, we are investing heavily in all aspects of our organization, so that we can significantly improve the quality of life for people of all ages and backgrounds — now and for generations to come,” said Lisa Fiorentino, Indian Hill Music’s Chief Executive Officer. “Rollstone Bank and Trust has donated generously to Indian Hill since 2013, and, in recent years, has been a leader in supporting our music outreach efforts serving high-need students in Fitchburg and Leominster. We are so thankful for their continued support.”