Our preliminary initiatives include the following:
- SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS: Starting in the spring of 2011, Friends of Brad has awarded annual scholarships to students graduating from high schools in northeastern Minnesota who plan to pursue music careers. We also made a donation to the Two Harbors High School band for the purchase of percussion instruments in 2011. We eventually hope to start a program to link area musicians with Iron Range secondary school students to assist and mentor them in musical endeavors, including performance and recording.
- COLLEGE STUDENTS: A fund to support a visiting performer fund for the music department at St. Cloud State University. Brad received his undergraduate training in music at SCSU, under mentor Terry Vermillion. Regular visits by top-notch international performers greatly inspired Brad and his colleagues. SCSU is now struggling to continue this tradition. An endowed fund in Brad’s name will ensure that current and future students have access to the same caliber of opportunities that Brad had at SCSU.
- YOUNG PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS: A ‘bridge’ fellowship for young musicians in Northern MN. The period after completing formal musical training is a challenging one for young musicians. This fellowship will help to subsidize professional and personal expenses, serving as a bridge between formal training and the onset of a professional music career.
Bradfest is a music festival organized by the Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation. It provides a rich artistic experience by featuring a diverse array of high quality music with performers from the Arrowhead region of MN and beyond. BradFest plans began in 2009 with the idea to organize a benefit concert to honor Brad Rozman and give back to the musical communities of which he was a part. The inaugural BradFest took place in August 2010. A team of nearly 100 dedicated volunteers staff the stage, ticketing, information, merchandise, and other stations at the festival. For three successive years, the festival was a successful event, building a growing following of devoted, enthusiastic attendees.
In 2013 began hosting a fall event in the merry spirit of Bavaria’s famous Oktoberfest celebration. Called Bradtoberfest, the event connects Duluth’s craft beer, music, and running communities, offering participants a unique opportunity to sample local beer and music while traversing a path that links local breweries and beer-centric venues.
We will continue to work towards our ambitious goals until we reach them. We intend to seek other funding sources and partner with other organizations to achieve our objectives.