The Leupold Foundation
MISSION
The mission of The Leupold Foundation is the reproduction, preservation, and dissemination of the culture of the pipe organ through:
REPRODUCTIONS–PUBLICATIONS- - Scholarly and high-quality editions of organ music from
- all periods
- - Instructional materials at all levels of organ study
- - Educational materials on organ design, construction, history, literature, and performance practices
- - Promotional material to advance a greater appreciation and understanding of the organ and organ music
- Development of a music archive and research library
- Distribution of new and used organ music and books
- Grants for research, publications, and educational events
- Commissioning new, educational compositions for organ
Questions and Answers
What is The Leupold Foundation?
The Leupold Foundation is a tax-exempt, non-profit, public charity, under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Government Internal Revenue Code.
When was it begun?
The concept was developed by Wayne Leupold over a five-year period (2003–2007), and the foundation was begun in January of 2008.
What is its mission?
The mission of The Leupold Foundation is the preservation, reproduction, and dissemination of the culture of the pipe organ, and to a lesser extent, the culture of other musical instruments, from all centuries and national schools.
Why was The Leupold Foundation created?
It was founded by Wayne Leupold out of a desire to have an organization to fulfill the above stated mission. Although there are aspects of this mission that are similar to the work of a few other organizations, no other organization or organizations fulfills all of the above stated missions. Often it is good to have several organizations, each with its own unique perspective, outlook, and mode of operation, to achieve similar goals.
How does The Leupold Foundation accomplish its mission?
Its mission is accomplished through a number of primary and secondary purposes.
What are the foundation’s primary purposes?
The primary purposes are:
1. to publish scholarly and high quality editions of organ music from all historic periods for general use;
2. to publish instructional materials intended for persons interested in learning to play the organ;
3. to publish materials to educate both organists and the general public concerning the design, construction, and history of the organ, its literature, and the performance practices of its literature; and
4. to publish materials promoting public appreciation for and understanding of the musical literature composed specifically for the organ.
How is the foundation to accomplish these primary purposes?
The foundation shall accomplish these primary purposes through the creation, funding and operation of one or more divisions.
1. The publication of materials is to be accomplished by the foundation’s Publishing Division, which shall conduct its activities under the name “Wayne Leupold Editions.” Within the Publishing Division, funding shall be allocated to such publications in the following order of priority: (1) scholarly and high quality editions of new and old organ music; (2) organ teaching materials; (3) books dealing with the design, construction, and history of the organ, organ literature, contemporary and historical organ performance practice, and related subjects; (4) new hymn tunes and texts; and (5) other types of music for any other musical instrument as may be determined by the Board of Directors (e.g., choral, harpsichord, clavichord, piano, handbells, etc.). This division will be activated when the current corporation, Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc., is transferred to The Leupold Foundation.
2. The preservation of the culture of the pipe organ is accomplished by the foundation’s Archival Division, which conducts its activities under the name “The Leupold Archive.” The Archival Division is a music archive and research library, which is open to the public and private researchers by appointment as well as to the editors of Wayne Leupold Editions. The archive also is to preserve the history of The Leupold Foundation and all its divisions and publications. It is currently operative and already has received a number of significant gifts of organ music and books on musical topics.
3. The dissemination of the culture of the pipe organ will be partially accomplished by the creation at some point of a Music Service Distribution Division, which may conduct its activities under the name “Leupold Music.” This music service may distribute new and second-hand music; books; and recordings; particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, related to the organ.
What are The Leupold Foundation’s current activities that fulfill some of these primary purposes?
The Leupold Archive has been established. Its present location is 8510 Triad Drive, Colfax, North Carolina 27235 (336.996.8653). The Leupold Foundation’s vision for the archive is that it be a repository of organ music, books dealing with the organ and its literature, correspondence, organ recordings, manuscripts, and other historical documents dealing with the organ. Its current holdings include a significant collection (donated in 2007) of American, twentieth-century, organ music and books that deal with twentieth-century American composers who wrote for the organ. Access to The Leupold Archive is welcomed by appointment.
What are the foundation’s secondary purposes?
The foundation’s secondary purposes include the allocation of such additional funds, when available, to engage in any additional educational or charitable activities, particularly for youth, that will further the promotion, use, and preservation of the organ, its performances, repertoire, and history, including the following activities in the following order of priority:
1. to underwrite programs, conferences, workshops, festivals, and summer camps related to education about the organ, particularly such events that are related to publications and research, or that employ, as part of the event, publications that have been funded by the foundation;
2. to award grants, scholarships, and fellowships for research (anywhere in the world, including in The Leupold Archive) into historical and contemporary organ music, relevant historical organ performance practices, and organ construction and design;
3. to commission new compositions for organ for educational (and possibly performance) purposes, only when requested by the foundation’s Publishing Division;
4. to fund recordings of organ music, especially works published or funded by the foundation; and
5. to fund performances of organ music.
Until such time as: (1) the assets of the foundation are valued at least at $500,000, or (2) the assets and operations of Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc., have been transferred to the foundation, the foundation shall focus on its “secondary purposes” as described above.
What are The Leupold Foundation’s current activities that fulfill some of these secondary purposes?
1. The foundation has initiated The Leupold Foundation Scholarship in The American Guild of Organists Fund for the Pipe Organ Encounters (POE), an educational outreach program of The American Guild of Organist (AGO), the professional organization for organists in the United States. The Pipe Organ Encounters are regional summer organ institutes for young persons from thirteen to eighteen years of age, which provide private and group instruction and a chance for young musicians to meet others with similar interests in the organ. The AGO encourages the creation of endowed scholarships to underwrite the costs of needy young people attending the POE’s.
2. Additional future projects related to the organ are planned as funding permits.
How is The Leupold Foundation governed?
It is governed by a rotating board of directors, currently nine; each director serves for three years. Three directors rotate off each year and are replaced by three new directors, who will each serve for three years. At all times, a majority of the members of the board must have had significant training at and education about the organ and be professionally involved with the organ.
What do the various divisions of the foundation need to accomplish their purposes and fulfill the mission of the foundation?
Because The Leupold Foundation is a public charity, it must receive support from the general public, not from just one large benefactor or founder. The assistance from the public can come in a variety of different ways:
1. Money can be given. Currently, most of the money given will become part of the principal of The Leupold Foundation’s endowment for the long-term financial security of the foundation. Wayne Leupold will strive to match every dollar given. All such gifts by donors are tax deductible.
2. Time and talent can be donated through various fund-raising events, such as concerts, auctions, and varied social events and gatherings.
3. Organ music and books, dealing with various aspects of the organ and the culture of the pipe organ, may be donated to The Leupold Archive. All such donations are tax deductible.
Will you help us?
For any assistance you can provide, the board, in particular, and the organ world, in general, will be most appreciative.
The Board of Directors, The Leupold Foundation Wayne Leupold, Founder
2011 Board of Directors
Nelson Barden William Carroll Pamela Decker Robin Dinda Quentin Faulkner Elaine Grover Harry Huff Calvert Johnson Rollin Smith
From the bylaws of The Leupold Foundation . . .
“[The foundation] is organized exclusively for specific charitable and educational purposes.” (Article II, Section 1)
“In selecting specific projects to be undertaken or funded and in selecting products to be reproduced, the artistic merit of the potential project or product shall be accorded greater weight than the likelihood that the project or product shall produce revenue or profit. . . .” (Article II, Section 2)
“In establishing The Leupold Foundation, my intent was to create an institution that would preserve, reproduce, and disseminate the culture of the pipe organ . . . from all centuries and national schools.” (Article X, Founder’s Statement)
“[All decisions by the board of directors] should only occur for very good high-minded, non-selfish, non-self-enriching, and non-self-ingratiating reasons.” (Article X, Founder’s Statement)
Will you please assist us?
As a charitable foundation, The Leupold Foundation respectfully requests your assistance in fulfilling its mission. Contributions may be given in many forms:
- Donating a financial gift
- Organizing a fund-raiser
- – concert/recital
- – dinner
- – social event
- – auction
- Contributing to the archive
- – organ music
- – books and/or other types of historical documents that relate to the organ or organ music
The Leupold Foundation is governed by a rotating board of directors in conjunction with its founder, Wayne Leupold. Inquiries concerning contributions or other matters may be addressed to:
The Leupold Foundation
8510 Triad Drive
Colfax, NC 27235 USA
phone: 336-996-8653
fax: 336-996-8445
email: wleupold@msn.com
Ultimately, Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc., will become a part of the publications division of The Leupold Foundation.
The Leupold Foundation is a charitable foundation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.
All of the photographs are of the tracker organ in Kernersville Moravian Church, Kernersville, NC, built by the J.F. Nordlie Company–Pipe Organ Builders (www.jfnordlie.com). The photographs were taken by John G. Wolfe, III.
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