Community Foundation's Muse Memorial Fund Benefits Theater Productions at TJ High

April 14, 2009: A recent donation from The Community Foundation of Frederick County’s Dustin and Courtney Muse Memorial Fund to Governor Thomas Johnson High School has made new sound equipment possible for the school auditorium. The donation was made in memory of Courtney Muse, a member of the Monocacy Middle School Chorus, pianist, and musical theater enthusiast who died in a car accident, along with her brother Dustin, in December, 2006. The new sound equipment will be used when TJ Stage’s production of the Broadway classic Little Shop of Horrors debuts April 23 at TJ High. 

According to Jason Hoffman, Director of TJ Stage, theater programs in high schools are non-budgeted and rely primarily on ticket sales as a source of funding. “Without the generosity of The Dustin and Courtney Muse Memorial Fund, we would not be able to improve or replace equipment. The equipment purchased will benefit students for years to come,” he said.

Pamela Meehan and Don Muse, Dustin and Courtney Muse’s parents, said they recommended the donation from the Fund for the approval of the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees so that their children will be remembered for helping others. “Courtney loved the fine arts, and she would be pleased that she has made a difference for the school’s theater group,” they said.

Additional information about TJ Stage’s performance schedule of Little Shop of Horrors can be found at www.tjstage.net.

Those who wish to help others in memory of Courtney and Dustin Muse may make a secure, online donation to The Dustin and Courtney Muse Memorial Fund by clicking here. Checks made payable to The Community Foundation of Frederick County, with the fund’s name inserted in the memo line, may be mailed to 312 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701. 

Memorial funds are one of the many ways The Community Foundation of Frederick County transforms the unique charitable dreams of individuals, families and organizations into the reality of charitable funds supporting a range of worthy causes. Over one-fourth of the funds held by the Community Foundation honor the memories of deceased loved ones by continuing to touch lives in meaningful ways in their names. To date, the Community Foundation has provided more than $19 million in scholarships and grants throughout Frederick County. For additional information about the Community Foundation, call 301.695.7660.