Our Community Foundation, Northfield Shares announces new endowment fund supporting Northfield Youth Choirs
Northfield Shares, our community foundation dedicated to enhancing the livability of Northfield through philanthropy, is excited to announce the establishment of the Cora Scholz Endowment Fund. Created by donor Steven Fox, this fund honors Cora Scholz’s legacy and will support the Northfield Youth Choirs (NYC) in perpetuity.
Cora Scholz and Judy Bond founded NYC in 1986. The choir began with 28 singers and has grown to over 200 participants today. Scholz, a beloved figure in Northfield, is celebrated for her contributions to the musical community.
“Cora Scholz is a treasure to Northfield, and her role in co-founding the Northfield Youth Choirs is one that should be celebrated and remembered,” said Fox. “Creating this endowment in her honor will help ensure the future of this vibrant organization that does so much to foster musical development among Northfield’s youth, as well as providing a choral outlet for adult singers in the area.”
Scholz, a 1961 St. Olaf College music education graduate with a master’s degree in voice from the University of Illinois, returned to Northfield in 1968 with her late husband, Dr. Robert Scholz. Over her career, she taught music at various levels, from kindergarten to college. Together with Bond, she established NYC to introduce children to choral music and provide enriching performance opportunities for older youths and adults. “Choirs are for the singers,” Scholz affirmed, “and singing is a healthy activity.”
Fox, a 1977 St. Olaf graduate, spent four years singing under the direction of Dr. Robert Scholz in the Viking Chorus and studied voice with him. Although his professional career was in finance and accounting, Fox has always valued his performing arts experiences. A frequent attendee at NYC’s concerts, Fox appreciates the organization’s contributions to the Northfield community.
“NYC is a worthy organization with amazing staff,” said Fox. “I wanted to honor Cora, and this is an open fund to which others can contribute—and hopefully they will.”
