After launching a campaign to raise an impressive $15 million in three years for student scholarships, the School of Music and Dance (SOMD) is delighted to announce a significant contribution from the Murdock family. Dr. James and Marilyn Murdock have generously donated $1 million to support this noble cause.
“It is with a deep sense of satisfaction and gratitude that we’re able to give,” Jim said. “Given that we are blessed to be in this financial position, we can’t think of a better way for the money to be spent than to help encourage young musicians to reach their goals.”
The Murdocks’ commitment stems from their fervent belief in the value of arts education, instilled in them from an early age by artistic and art-loving parents. Marilyn spent her childhood surrounded by the arts, taking voice and piano lessons, and dancing for nearly 18 years. Jim, a St. Louis child piano prodigy, spent his youth studying and performing classical piano. In medical school, he performed the 2nd Rachmaninov Piano Concerto with the St. Louis Symphony. He later graduated second in his class at medical school.
Although neither Murdock majored in music, they continue to champion the cause of classical music wherever they have lived, especially in Eugene, where they raised three musically talented daughters. As children, they studied piano with Jim. “That was the best father-daughter time we could have spent,” he fondly recalled. Now, with the three daughters raising five musical granddaughters of their own, holidays at the Murdocks’ are celebrated with joyous gatherings around the piano, where the entire family sings and plays instruments together.
Beyond their personal connection to music, the Murdocks are driven by their love for Eugene, their home since 1969. “We’ve made our home here,” Marilyn beamed. “We’ve watched the growth of the SOMD and its positive direction with marvelous talent at the helm. When we realized we could help to this degree, we said, ‘That’s easy! Let’s do it!’”
Their generosity also stems from a desire to remove financial barriers for talented students eager to attend the University of Oregon’s School of Music and Dance. “With an excellent faculty here, we don’t wish to lose students who really want to study with our people because they can’t afford to come,” Marilyn said. “We hope by leading the charge, as it were, that we’ll encourage more donors to step up. They can help bolster the pot of gold these kids can be awarded, thus permitting these students to study with our incredibly talented, dedicated teachers.”
As of November 2024, SOMD has raised $6 million toward its scholarship campaign. Anyone seeking more information can reach out directly to the SOMD director of development Kelsey Isaacs at (541)852-9368 or kelsey3@uoregon.edu.