Inspiring Future Music Lovers

Malcolm Jones has long been an advocate for the Symphony's education programs: "I know, as an informed reader and as a participant, how critical music is at a young age." In the third grade, Malcolm selected the cornet, a close relative to the trumpet, as his first instrument. His brass commitment persisted, and he won numerous accolades in high school and college. He credits two virtuosos—Malcolm heard Rafael Méndez, a world-class Mexican trumpet player, and Doc Severinsen, band leader for The Tonight Show—with raising his musical appreciation "to the next level."

Following college at Dartmouth, Malcolm won admission to Berklee College of Music for a Master of Music in Brass Performance. He chose not to attend Berklee because he felt his ability, although very good, wouldn't qualify him "for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or even for the band Chicago." In retrospect, he wishes he'd gone to Boston anyway, even if being a professional musician wasn't in the cards.

When Malcolm moved to San Francisco, he continued his investment in music, although in a supporting role. He has been a San Francisco Symphony subscriber for over 30 seasons. For decades he served on the San Francisco Symphony's Corporate Gifts Committee where he became familiar with the Symphony's grade school music education program, Adventures in Music.

Over the years, Malcolm has been impressed by the continued growth of the San Francisco Symphony—both artistically and in terms of community impact. In 2006, the Symphony expanded its music education initiative to all San Francisco public middle and high schools through a program now called Music and Mentors (MaM). The program provides small-group coaching, instrument loans and repairs, and complimentary tickets to aspiring musicians.

Malcolm's parents were always philanthropically minded. They passed along the joy of giving to their children, and Malcolm is following in their footsteps. He has already decided to include the Symphony's education programs in his estate plan. And his passion for MaM inspired him to get involved now, as well as later.

During the '18-'19 season, Malcolm has provided a sponsorship for the MaM program and has donated his trumpet to its instrument loan component. At a recent luncheon celebrating MaM, Malcolm and his fiancée, Sandi, reflected on the importance of music education programs: "We are both products of public school music education. That exposure and experience translated into how we live our lives. We want to keep these programs going strong and available in public schools."

Malcolm is inspiring the next generation of music lovers—you can, too. Simply include a gift to the Symphony in your estate plan. For more information, contact our legacy giving team at 415.503.5404 or legacygiving@sfsymphony.org.