Thanks to Ian Harleman’s Memorial Scholarships and Concert, The Music Plays On

This Sunday evening, a meaningful concert at the Wilton Library will celebrate the spirit and memory of Ian Harleman, a lover of music, people and life, who died in 2011, at age 24. Ian grew up in Wilton, graduating from Wilton High School and Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, where he received a degree in recording arts.

“Right after Ian died a lot of people wanted to show their outpouring of love, and we thought we’d try to figure out some way to honor him and his memory,” his mother, Elizabeth Harleman, explained. “The first thing about Ian was his love of music. He not only liked playing it and performing it, he just loved music in general. It was in his soul and part of who he was. We needed to do something that related to music.”

Ian’s love for music really began in middle school. As his mother tells, music helped Ian find a way to express himself.

“The middle school years, which are oftentimes very challenging for any student, but particularly for those who don’t fit into a certain mold, that’s when he took drum lessons for the first time. And it really helped defined something that he could be passionate about and excel at. We thought it would be wonderful to provide something for other middle school to early high school students who relate to music.”

Elizabeth sat down with Ian’s dad and two sisters to chart how they could channel that support they’d received from others.

“We weren’t sure how the fund would grow and develop. But our family has always been connected with the Wilton Library. The Brubeck room is such a wonderful performance space. People involved with music love to perform and that’s always a struggle, to find performance spaces for young musicians. So we thought, maybe we could offer music lessons and have it culminate in a performance for them.”

So they created the Ian Harleman Rising Musicians’ Fund as a tribute to Ian’s memory, with the guiding principles to “educate, entertain, inspire.” In its first year, 2012-13, the program funded lessons for three drum students, in honor of Ian’s primary instrument; this past year, the Fund supported weekly lessons for three drummers and two guitar students. Their lessons have prepared them to perform with other musicians this Sunday, June 22 at the Wilton Library and to inspire others to pursue music.

There’s substance behind the scholarship as well, with the musicians needing to show just how important music is to them. Each musician has to submit an application, writing an essay about why they want to be considered as well as provide a recording; they also need a teacher recommendation. “There are many great stories out there about deserving people out there, who benefit from someone who just gives them a leg up or an opportunity. I think this is one of those things we can do, and it’s something that Ian would definitely want,” Elizabeth says.

Bob Riccio is the music director for the program and teaches guitar; Elizabeth says they were lucky to get him involved.

“At times like this a lot of angels come your way. Bob was one–he was so enthusiastic about the idea. He realized it was a need that was not being met, and he knew that it was something young musicians would be excited about.”

In addition, musicians John Cutrone and Jim Lane teach drums.  

What’s more, Ian’s drums are used during the performance. It’s one more lovely way, says Ian’s mother, to remember him and to connect to his spirit and memory.

“I know that Ian is there in spirit, and that he’s got a pretty big smile on his face. My guess is that he is probably dancing and singing along. That would be just what Ian would do–when Ian went to a concert he would never sit down, he would always have to get up and move. That was a big part of it, really feeling the music. I think from last year’s performance, a lot of us felt that he was there, and that was a really great thing. Using his drums is another way of trying to feel connected to him.”

What’s more, the program helps young artists show that music is so much more than obligatory classes in school and participating in band or music theory–it’s about how music can move people and connect them to one another and beyond. Ian will always be with the Harleman family and other musicians as a result of this effort.

Elizabeth says that to know that such a gift is her son’s legacy is more meaningful than anything. “Last year, each of the musicians came over and told us how much it meant to them, so that was very gratifying.”

She also sees the potential for the fund to be ongoing. “I hope we can get others excited about music and find other ways to take this rising musician fund and diversify it in ways we haven’t thought about.”

The fund is still accepting applications from young musicians interested in taking part in next year’s program. Qualified individuals will be selected to receive weekly music or voice lessons beginning October 2014 through June 2015. The program culminates in an on-stage performance with other student musicians at Wilton Library’s Brubeck Room on Saturday, June 20, 2015.