Folk Heroes Concert to Benefit Elliot Scholarship January 23

SALISBURY, MD---When Dr. Thomas G. Elliot recently retired as director of the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra at Salisbury University (SSO), he said his one wish would be that SU continue providing the best quality student musicians for the orchestra. The Folk Heroes believe a scholarship fund for music students endowed in Elliot’s name will allow the University to do just that. The local folk music group performs a concert to benefit the endowment at 8 p.m. Friday, January 23, in the Black Box Theatre at Fulton Hall. “Tom Elliot has been a friend to us and a friend to the arts,” said Salisbury attorney Robin Cockey, who comprises one-third of the Folk Heroes along with Dr. Michael O’Loughlin, chair of the SU Political Science Department and Princess Anne physician Dr. Charles Stegman. “By raising money for the scholarship fund, we’re supporting the orchestra and we’re supporting the University.” Elliot, who plans to attend the concert, said he was happy to have the Folk Heroes’ support: “I’m excited about it. They have helped us before and I appreciate all they have done for us.” Dr. Timothy O’Rourke, dean of the Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts, also praised the group’s willingness to assist the University. "The benefit concert is a wonderful way to preserve Dr. Elliot's legacy, both for SSO and our academic programs," he said. The Folk Heroes performed a benefit concert for the SU Department of Music last summer. Dr. Linda Cockey, department chair and wife of the Folk Heroes’ fiddler, also praised the group for their dedication to SU. “The concert was their idea,” she said. “The Department of Music is grateful for their efforts.” SU hopes to grow the scholarship fund endowment to $30,000. Some $4,500 has already been collected. Maureen McNeill, director of corporate and foundation relations, said community involvement, as well as University support, would be key to meeting the goal. “It’s exciting to see the community responding to the challenge of building this scholarship fund,” she said. Admission to the concert is $10 per person. No advance reservations are required. The public is cordially invited. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.