Page 30 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2018- Online Magazine

HONORING J.T. & MARGARET

T ALKINGT ON

A Gift That Keeps On Giving

By Jessica Jackson
Even though Jeanette Markee, Education Director for the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra (LSO), does
not spend much time in the classroom anymore (as she did for 26 years as an orchestra teacher),
she still engages more than 12,000 South Plains students annually through the symphony’s multiple
educational programs. And it all might not have been possible without an endowment from the J.T. &
Margaret Talkington Foundation for education at the LSO.
“The Talkington Foundation funded the endowment in 2012, well before I arrived,” explained
Markee. “However, since the endowment funds grow each year, just as our programs grow to include
more and more kids, it’s really a gift that keeps on giving.”
While most Lubbockites think of great concerts and renowned guest artists when they think of the
LSO, education is a key part of the Symphony’s mission. From the performing chamber ensembles
that provide many local third- and fourth-graders with their first experiences with orchestral music
to the beloved annual Family Concert that combines an exciting educational event with hands-on
learning activities (such as the Instrument “Petting Zoo”), Markee says the Talkington Foundation has
had a hand in making all of it possible.
“We also have two education concerts annually—one for high school and middle school and one for
elementary students—along with a Teaching Artist Program, a collaborative educational partnership
between the LSO and schools in which Teaching Artists design
30-minute lessons that reinforce concepts in math, science,
reading and language arts through the use of applied music
elements,” Markee noted. “Having these diverse program
offerings allows us to provide appropriate music education
opportunities for children at every age.”
A number of organizations have long supported the LSO’s
educational programs, such as the Helen Jones Foundation,
the Texas Commission on the Arts, Civic Lubbock, Inc., the
CH Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the
Community Foundation of West Texas. However, the Talkington
Foundation initially offered its endowment support in the form
of a guaranteed match of other funds raised for the endowment.
Galen Wixson, LSO President
and CEO, says this cooperation
and the continued success of
“The Talkington the endowment represents the
best of Lubbock.
Foundation funded the “Our community is special in
endowment in 2012, that so many individuals and
well before I arrived,” organizations are all working
explained Markee. together to improve our city,”
Wixson said. “The Talkington
“However, since the Foundation recognized that
endowment funds grow concept by creating a gift
that encouraged multiple
each year, just as our organizations to work together
programs grow to include to make this great vision a
more and more kids, it’s reality.”
really a gift that keeps on Since then, the endowment has
allowed the Symphony to take
giving.” on more opportunities, and
the number of children served
by its educational programs
continues to increase each year.
“An endowment like this really empowers us as an organization
by providing perennial support that will continue growing with
our organization so that we can look forward to expanding our
impact across the Lubbock area,” Wixson added. “Every year, we
can provide more opportunities to kids who might not otherwise
be exposed to these musical experiences.”

30 Lubbock Senior Link