Music is defined as the art of arranging sounds in time so as to produce a continuous, unified, and evocative composition, as through melody, rhythm, and timbre. Mary’s life (1960-2007) as stated by a friend was, "...a wellspring of song, she gave her music with ceaseless generosity to all who wished for it. We think of her outpouring radiant joy, sunlight, color, beauty, humor, outrageousness; trying to make the world more beautiful...spontaneous...seeking on earth what was a true reflection of the spirit. She had depth of soul, and appreciated inner and outer beauty equally."
Her husband Sven wrote, "She lived for the connection of one soul to another, finding interest in everyone she met - a lesson she presented to me many, many times."
And so, it is both joyful and appropriate that Mary Thienes Schunemann’s life be remembered annually with the giving of a gift that will assist a musically talented young person in his or her discovery of what is "...continuous, unified, and evocative" – to explore that which we call music.
Initiated in 2007 by Mary’s father, Dr. R. Lawrence Thienes, the Scholarship fund continues to receive gifts from those whose life Mary touched. With each award the Artist Series is pleased to provide a brief history of Mary’s life in music in the hope that it will serve as inspiration for the recipient.
