What began as the vision of Northwest composer and pianist Michael Allen Harrison has evolved into a community effort that shares the joy, the healing, the learning, and the life-changing gifts music has to offer. The Snowman Foundation was formed in September of 1999 to promote the musical arts in the Pacific Northwest.

The Foundation’s primary source of funding comes from fundraising events such as the annual “Ten Grands” concert, as well as recordings, theater productions, and small concerts. Proceeds from these events support our schools, our children, and our community through the following:

• Musical instruments, materials, and supplies for members of targeted groups
• Performing arts lessons for members of targeted groups
• Scholarships for laboratory studies in the performing arts
• Artist-in-resident grants for targeted groups
• Grants to fund production and travel costs to bring performing arts productions to target groups
• Encouragement of multi-generational and multi-cultural interaction in artistic productions

School budget cuts continue to increase the demand for foundation funds and services. Over one half of our community’s elementary schools have lost their music programs. To address this void, The Snowman Foundation launched a campaign to bring the music back to places where it has been dearly missed and desperately needed.