NEWS

Dear Bob and Shelley - 

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For many years, I’ve heard about Play It Forward and the incredible opportunities made possible through your foundation. While I understood the mission intellectually, I find myself struggling—in the best way—to fully capture what it meant to witness it in person last night.

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Having had the opportunity to volunteer at the event and see it in action , I can honestly say that in my 38 years as a band director, I have never experienced something as powerful as what I saw at The Triple Door. It moved me in a way that is hard to put into words.

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Music has always been central to my life. As the daughter of Bruce and Joe Caldwell, and in my marriage to George Moffat, it’s woven deeply into my family. I’ve long believed that music education shapes individuals, strengthens schools, and builds communities—it goes far beyond teaching students how to play notes on a page. What I witnessed last night was living proof of that belief.

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Seeing the diverse group of people you brought together—individuals from all walks of life, each successful in their own right—yet still so deeply connected to the impact music had on them, was extraordinary. Their willingness to give so generously, both financially and emotionally, speaks volumes about the lasting power of music education.

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One moment that especially stayed with me was watching from the green room as the chef offered his services to create and serve a dinner for ten. When the bidding climbed higher and higher, his excitement grew—and then he offered to do it twice. That level of enthusiasm and generosity, echoed throughout the room, was nothing short of inspiring.

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As a teacher who has benefited from Music Matters grants, I can personally attest to the very real and tangible impact that generosity has in our classrooms. We’ve always had to advocate and fight for funding in music education, and to see such wholehearted support was deeply affirming.

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In a time when the world can feel heavy and uncertain, last night truly restored my faith in humanity.

Thank you for everything you do. The reach of your work is immeasurable, and the lives you touch are countless.

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With gratitude,

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Lesley Moffat
Author • Speaker • Music Educator
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