Charlie Bertini Instrumental Music Scholarship

The celebration of the 30th year of donations to the Charlie Bertini Music Scholarship at St Mary’s School was a tremendous success. We raised $5,790 which will benefit deserving students for many years to come. This year, we gave out 7 scholarships totaling $2,200!

Cortland residents Bert and Ann Bertini created the scholarship in 1988 to support instrumental music students at the elementary school and to honor their son Charlie Bertini, whose career has been dedicated to music.

The primary goal is to encourage musical interests of the students. Each year, Charlie plays to an assembly of all the school’s students (pre-K through 6), and uses the time to explain basics about music. The fund has supported over 110 students with instrument rentals and private lessons, and the fund has even purchased a sound system for the school.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the music fund, please send to:
St Mary’s School Bertini Fund
61 N Main St
Cortland NY 13045

More About Charlie Bertini Music Scholarship

In 1988, the Fulvio and Ann Bertini family established the Charlie Bertini Instrumental Music Scholarship at St. Mary’s School. This scholarship is awarded annually in June and provides full and partial funding for instrumental music lessons for selected St. Mary’s School students in grades 4, 5, and 6. The general amount of the scholarship award has been $400 per student. The partial scholarship is $200. (Because of budget constraints, St. Mary’s School does not provide individual music lessons at school.)

Each year, between four and six scholarships are awarded.

There is an application process for this scholarship. The applying students must show a strong desire for playing music, and the willingness to apply the commitment and discipline necessary for instrumental development. Recommendations from the applications are made by the band director, and the final decision is made by Charlie Bertini, or the Bertini family if he is not available.

Anyone wishing to make a tax-free contribution to the Charlie Bertini Instrumental Music Scholarship may do so by sending donations to the school address below.
ST. MARY’S SCHOOL
61 North Main Street
Cortland, NY 13045
607-756-5614