COMMUNITY IMPACT: KEEP THE MUSIC PLAYING

OMHOF proudly supports music education across Oswego County.  From instrument donations to sponsored lessons and school partnerships, these stories highlight how our programs give students the chance to learn, grow, and discover their musical potential.  See the impact of your support, one school, one teacher and one young musician at a time.

On a sunny September day in 2025, the Oswego Music Hall of Fame delivered fifteen brand-new ukuleles to APW Elementary School. Board members joined APW Music Teacher Wil Patterson and Principal Donna Simmons to welcome the instruments into the music program.

Wil has long supported the idea of giving students an instrument that feels approachable and enjoyable from day one. When he spoke with the Hall of Fame Board about the ukuleles, he emphasized why they are well-suited for young learners.

Wil believes “the ukulele is an extremely versatile and very accessible instrument.”  He explained that its smaller size makes it far easier for beginning musicians to handle, noting, “You do not need as much hand strength to play a ukulele as opposed to a guitar.”

Wil also highlighted how the ukulele gives all students an entry point into music.
As he shared, “Any student regardless of their skills or needs can learn how to play the ukulele.”

The enthusiasm around the instruments spread quickly. Wil described how excited his students were when he introduced the ukuleles in class, calling their reaction ecstatic. These instruments will now be used across multiple grade levels in his general music classes, giving students the chance to learn rhythm, melody, and ensemble skills in a way that feels both manageable and fun.  He added that these instruments help students discover where they fit musically.  “My hope is that by learning the ukulele my students will find their own musical niche.”

Board President Nancy Spereno and the OMHOF Board expressed how meaningful it is to support teachers like Wil — educators who work every day to spark creativity, confidence, and a love of music in their students.

The Oswego Music Hall of Fame is proud to help APW students grow through music, and we look forward to seeing the impact of this donation for years to come.

In 2019, the Oswego Music Hall of Fame donated 100 Buccaneer Blue recorders to Fitzhugh Park Elementary School to support early music education. Students from the classes of Mrs. Yashaw, Mrs. Dumas, and Mr. Tossa received their instruments with excitement and pride.

Principal Donna Simmons joined OMHOF Board Members Missy Klefbeck, Nancy Spereno, and Lee Audlin for the presentation. The recorders became part of the school’s general music curriculum, giving students a hands-on introduction to rhythm, melody, and foundational playing skills.

This donation ensured that every child—regardless of financial circumstance—could begin their musical journey with an instrument of their own. OMHOF remains committed to supporting classroom music programs throughout Oswego County, one school at a time.

In 2018, the Oswego Music Hall of Fame continued its mission to support young musicians by donating 100 recorders to Kingsford Park Elementary School. The instruments were delivered to music instructor Lori Bushnell, whose third- and fourth-grade students rely on recorders as their introduction to reading music and developing foundational playing skills.


The donation supported the school’s “Keep the Music Playing” effort, ensuring that every child had access to their own instrument throughout the academic year. For many students, this was their very first opportunity to explore melody, rhythm, and confident music-making.


Pictured during the donation are Nancy Spereno, Lori Bushnell, Bradley Audlin, and Melissa Klefbeck, representing a shared commitment to fostering and sustaining music education in Oswego County schools.

The  Oswego Music Hall Fame is proud to announce its 2025 Induction  Ceremony. The 2025 Induction Ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 23,  at 1 PM at the Oswego Elks Lodge. The event will feature a delicious  buffet of ziti, meatballs, Italian bread, salad, coffee, and tea—all for  just $40 per person. There will be a cash bar during the event.  Adding  to the excitement, some of this year's inductees will provide live  entertainment, making it an afternoon of music, celebration, and  inspiration.
Your  tickets sales directly fund scholarships for High School Seniors, free  music lessons at local Oswego County music schools, and essential  resources like musical instruments for Oswego County children. With your  help, we can continue providing life-changing opportunities for young  musicians while honoring the incredible talent in our area.
Over  the years, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones, such as: Donating  hundreds of musical recorders to local elementary schools which are  often a child’s first musical experience. We have funded countless hours  of music lessons for students at local Oswego County music schools. We  have also awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships, including the  prestigious Joseph P. Spereno Scholarship for aspiring students pursuing  music in higher education.
The  tickets for the 2025 Induction Ceremony at the Oswego Elks Lodge are  only available for pre-sale. Tickets must be purchased by March 15,  2025, or until sold out. No tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets  can be purchased either by check or money order payable to Oswego Music  Hall of Fame, Inc. to 94 Mariposa Dr., Oswego, NY 13126. Please  include the number of tickets you’re purchasing and your name and  specify if they are for General Admission or the Honoree section. If you  would like to order tickets, please contact Nancy Spereno at  315-480-3327 to confirm your payment or for assistance. Every induction  ceremony has sold out each year.
Tickets  can be picked up on March 7, 8 between 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM and March 9  from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM 2025, at the Oswego Players Box Office at the  Oswego Civic Arts Center, Barbara Donahue Dr., Oswego, NY 13126. Sonia  Lough-Berlin will distribute prepaid tickets during these dates so be  sure to include your name with your payment and if you plan to pick them  up at the Box office. If you need to arrange an earlier pickup, please  contact Nancy Spereno.
The  2025 nominees will be announced this December 15th. We have a diverse  number of musical genres represented this year. The nominees range from  Rock, Blues, Country and Soloists. Oswego’s music history is rich with  exceptional performers like the 2025 award winners. This year’s winter  and past winners are deserving of recognition for their invaluable  contributions to Oswego County music scene. By honoring this year’s  nominees, we celebrate their dedication and the many hours that they  have devoted to enriching our lives through music. Induction into the  Oswego Music Hall of Fame is our way of giving something back to local  musicians and the Oswego music community that they have inspired.
New  board member Bill “Fuzzy” Wiltsie depicts what the Oswego Music Hall of  Fame does for the music community; “The OMHOF is totally a non-profit  organization and not one member receives a single cent for their time  and long hours behind the scenes doing everything they can for music and  musicians. Overall, the OMHOF is dedicated to helping all musicians of  all music genres and promoting the love and passion we all have for  music. This is why I decided to be involved with the OMHOF.”
This  memorable day will feature heartfelt performances by inductees as they  shine on their special day. It’s a unique opportunity for friends,  family, fans and public to witness the passion and artistry of the award  winters while celebrating the legacy of Oswego’s music community.
The  Board Members, volunteer Carol Dillabough and Junior Board Members of  the Oswego Music Hall of Fame are excited to announce 2025 Induction  Ceremony. Front row, from left: Junior Board Members Alessia Braun,  Ethan Cliff and Emily Simpson. Middle Row, from left: Event Volunteer  Carol Dillabough, Norman Berlin and Sonia Lough-Berlin. Back row, from  left: Bill “Fuzzy” Wiltsie, Ron Castaldo and Nancy Spereno.

For many young musicians in Oswego County, the Keep the Music Playing program has been their first step into discovering a lifelong love of music. Over the years, OMHOF has been able to help students begin lessons, grow their confidence, and find joy in learning an instrument.

These moments tell the story beautifully—students performing with confidence, enjoying their lessons, and sharing heartfelt thank-you notes that show just how much these opportunities mean to them. Each photo reflects the impact of your support and the joy these young musicians experience when they’re given the chance to learn and grow.

OMHOF remains committed to opening doors for children across our community, ensuring that every student has the chance to learn, explore, and experience the power of music.