Greg Renza Memorial Music Fund

Keeping the Music Alive for the Next Generation

A Legacy of Music, Friendship, and Giving Back

Greg Renza believed in the power of music to bring people together.

A talented guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist, and musical director, Greg was a familiar and beloved presence in the Westchester music community. Whether performing with The Station Agents, Jack Toad, or joining fellow musicians at the Legendary Tuesday Night Jam, Greg brought enthusiasm, humor, and heart to every performance.

Greg's musical journey began with guitar lessons as a young boy. Those early lessons helped spark a lifelong passion that would bring him countless friendships and unforgettable experiences.

Today, we hope to honor Greg's memory by giving that same opportunity to children who might otherwise never have the chance.

The Greg Renza Memorial Music Fund is being established to help provide music instruction to children from financially disadvantaged families.

Through the generosity of friends, family, fellow musicians, and our community, we hope to inspire a new generation of musicians and keep Greg's love of music alive for years to come.

Because every child deserves the chance to discover the joy of music.

How the Fund Works

The Greg Renza Memorial Music Fund is dedicated to giving children from financially disadvantaged families the opportunity to learn and experience the joy of playing music.

Through contributions from friends, family, musicians, and community supporters, the fund aims to:

• Provide Music Lessons: Help cover the cost of private or group music instruction for children whose families cannot otherwise afford it.

• Partner with Local Music Educators: Work with qualified instructors and music schools to provide meaningful, ongoing instruction.

• Create Opportunities: Help young musicians develop their talents, build confidence, and discover a lifelong appreciation for music.

As the fund develops, we will establish a simple application and referral process to identify eligible students. Whenever possible, funds will be paid directly to participating music instructors or schools.

Our goal is simple: Give more children the opportunity to experience the life-changing power of music.

Our Initial Goal: $5,000

Our first goal is to raise $5,000 to help provide approximately 100 music lessons for 10 children from financially disadvantaged families. This is just the beginning of our mission to keep Greg's musical legacy alive by introducing young people to the joy of making music.

What the Fund May Support

Music Lessons

Private or group lessons for students who may not otherwise be able to afford them.

Instruments

Helping students access guitars, keyboards, drums, ukuleles, microphones, or other beginner-friendly instruments.

Workshops

Special music workshops, jam experiences, songwriting sessions, and beginner music education programs.

Performance Opportunities

Helping young musicians gain confidence by giving them safe, supportive places to perform.

About the Fund

The Greg Renza Memorial Music Fund is a community initiative established to honor Greg's musical legacy by helping children from financially disadvantaged families receive music instruction.

The fund is currently in its organizational stage. We are working to establish the appropriate structure for accepting contributions and supporting music education.

Our goal is to operate with transparency and accountability, ensuring that funds raised are used to provide meaningful musical opportunities for children.

Information about making contributions will be available once the fundraising arrangements are finalized.

Become a Fund Sponsor

Local businesses, music companies, community organizations, and individual supporters can help make music education more accessible through the Greg Renza Memorial Music Fund.

Sponsor support may help fund lessons, instruments, workshops, events, and music opportunities for young people.

Sponsors may also be recognized through Rising Tide Music events, website listings, newsletters, social media, and scholarship fund communications, depending on the final program structure.

Part of the Rising Tide Music Mission

Rising Tide Music was created to elevate live music, artists, and community.

The Greg Renza Memorial Music Fund expands that mission by helping young people discover music at the beginning of their journey.

From live events and music media to artist tools, merch, and community programs, Rising Tide Music is working to support the full music ecosystem — fans, musicians, venues, artists, and future generations.

Nominate a Young Musician

Help Us Give a Child the Gift of Music

Do you know a child who has a passion for music but whose family may not have the financial resources to provide music lessons?

The Greg Renza Memorial Music Fund is being established to help children from financially disadvantaged families discover the joy of learning to play an instrument, develop their musical talents, and build confidence through music education.

We welcome recommendations from parents, guardians, teachers, school counselors, friends, and community members.

Who Can Be Nominated?

We are initially focusing on school-aged children in the Westchester County area who:

• Have an interest in learning to play a musical instrument or developing their musical abilities.

• Have limited access to private music instruction because of financial circumstances.

• Would benefit from the opportunity to participate in regular music lessons.

Know a child who might benefit?

We invite you to submit a recommendation using our Student Nomination Form.

Nominations are being collected for future consideration. Submission does not guarantee an award, and scholarships will not be offered until the fund is fully established.

Help us keep Greg's love of music alive by opening the door for the next generation of musicians.

Student Nomination Privacy Notice

Information submitted through this form will be used by the Greg Renza Memorial Music Fund to review potential scholarship nominations and contact the person submitting the recommendation.

Please do not include a child's full name, home address, financial records, medical information, or other sensitive personal information.

Nomination information will not be published or shared with sponsors. If additional information is needed, we will contact the nominator and arrange for a parent or legal guardian to participate in the next stage of the process.

Submitting a nomination does not guarantee a scholarship. No scholarships will be awarded until the fund is operational and its selection procedures are finalized.

For questions about a nomination or to request removal of submitted information, contact risingtidemusicny@gmail.com.

Apply for a Music Scholarship

The Greg Renza Memorial Music Scholarship Fund helps young people throughout Westchester County discover the joy of music.

Scholarships are open to children of all financial backgrounds, with priority consideration given to families demonstrating financial need.

No prior musical experience is required. We encourage parents and guardians to apply on behalf of children who have a genuine interest in learning to play music.

Get Involved

Interested in supporting the Greg Renza Memorial Music Fund?

Use the form below to contact us about sponsoring a student, donating an instrument, partnering with the fund, teaching lessons, volunteering, or learning more.