Honoring a loved one through the legacy of music

When Avis Goldstein’s husband Hal knew he was dying, the couple had a short time to discuss his final wishes. Like many, her husband of 37 years had compiled a bucket list he wished to accomplish, such as traveling to India, China and Africa, climbing Mount Washington, serving as a ship’s celestial navigator for a long trip, and climbing a Long Range Navigation (LORAN) station tower.

By the time Hal Goldstein passed away in September of 2015, his bucket list was almost complete, except for one important request. He wanted Avis to contact South Shore Conservatory (SSC), an organization they both loved and supported, to find what concert sponsorship opportunities would complement their interests.

One month after losing her husband, Avis knew it was time to address his incomplete bucket list requests. Feeling empty and numb, she took what she refers to as being an “emotional body scan,” searching for something to give her some comfort. Suddenly inside she knew what she needed to do. She recalls thinking, “The arts, the arts can bring me comfort.” Then she remembered Hal’s bucket list and their conversation. She remembered his words, “See what opportunities there are for us to sponsor a concert.”

Avis made her way over to South Shore Conservatory, where she had worked as the kindergarten art specialist for nine years and now works as the art consultant for SSC’s early childhood programs, to meet with SSC’s Director of Performance Beth MacLeod Largent. Together they contemplated the 2015/2016 concert sponsorship opportunities. Nothing jumped out at Avis as being a good fit until they reached the Conservatory Concert Series Valentine’s Day concert in February. She knew that Love Songs was exactly what she needed. Through tears she said “that’s the one, and I’ll dedicate it to my beloved Hal.”

Avis loved sponsoring the Love Songs concert because it was personal and intimate. Before each singer performed they explained why the song they chose had personal meaning to them. She felt that everyone there, not just her, reflected upon people in their lives and what they meant to them. She wanted more of these experiences.

As she sat going over her husband’s bucket list to find another sponsorship opportunity that matched their interests, Avis noticed that SSC ran children’s concerts in the summer. She thought that sponsoring the Wacky Wednesdays family concert series would be a wonderful opportunity to combine Hal’s bucket list with her own.

What most appealed to her was the idea that her sponsorship could benefit children from less fortunate circumstances. Through SSC’s Community Partnerships program, children enrolled in the Rise Up program in Brockton are invited to attend one or two Wacky Wednesdays concerts per summer. Avis loved the idea of supporting a program that reached a greater community, and she knew that these children would appreciate the opportunity, and benefit from experiencing these concerts for a long time to come.

“I absolutely positively believe in sharing the wealth,” said Avis, “and so did Hal. He so appreciated life and wanted to share everything. He told me ‘go after life.’”

Avis is very excited about her concert sponsorship. She says, “Being in the space of young children is being on holy ground. I believe in educating young children so they can enter society with skill and knowledge of the arts.”

Wacky Wednesdays family concert series, sponsored by The Hal and Avis Goldstein Trust, starts on June 29 and continues for five consecutive Wednesdays. High-energy, award winning interactive entertainer Karen K and the Jitterbugs, kick off the series with their toe-tapping original music for tots and grownups alike. Back by popular demand, family favorite entertainer Keith Munslow combines rock solid funky piano tunes, hilarious stories and lightning fast cartooning on July 6. The remainder of the series features three more returning beloved acts, including Little Groove, on July 13, playing fun, catchy, educational, and danceable music for children and adults on July 13. Always a favorite, Boston-based children’s singer-songwriter Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys perform their original music in an encore Wacky Wednesdays performance on July 20. Grammy-nominated Zak Morgan performs for his second year in the series, delivering his unique brand of children's music and poems that tickle the funny bone on July 27. As always, complimentary lemonade and chocolate milk are on tap for thirsty children and adults alike.

Avis encourages anyone looking to honor a loved one to follow in her footsteps. “I realize from this experience, how very wonderful a resource the Conservatory is, with these concerts that are available for anyone to sponsor. It’s a remarkable way to do for a celebration of life, an anniversary, a birthday, or to just say ‘I’m grateful for what you’ve done. It’s remarkable to hear live music and voice in a premier environment. This has been my journey, my experience.”

For more information about South Shore Conservatory concerts, programs and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.sscmusic.org or find South Shore Conservatory on Facebook.

About South Shore Conservatory

South Shore Conservatory, (SSC) has been providing access to and enriching the lives of South Shore residents through music and the arts for 45 years. Recognized as a national model for arts education by the National Guild for Community Arts Education, SSC is the largest, not-for-profit, community school for the arts in Massachusetts, serving over 3500 students of all ages and abilities at its two beautiful campuses and in partnership with schools, and social service and community agencies throughout the South Shore. Students participate in more than 50 diverse programs in music, dance and drama, with performance playing an important role in overall education. With more than 100 exceptional musicians on faculty, SSC offers 30 professionally produced concerts annually. Through innovative partnerships, SSC’s Creative Arts Therapies department supports the mental, emotional, and physical health of some of our community’s underserved members, and the ImagineARTS program strengthens pre-reading skills for young learners in Brockton Schools through integrated music and dramatic play. SSC’s campuses are located at One Conservatory Drive, Hingham, (781-749-7565) and 64 St. George Street, Duxbury (781-934-2731). SSC programs are supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information call us, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram or visit www.sscmusic.org.

In keeping with SSC’s inclusive mission to provide access to quality education in the arts for all, the Conservatory offers programs for all segments of the population to enjoy, regardless of age, ability, geography, and financial means. Furthermore, South Shore Conservatory admits students and families of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.