The Bowdoin International Music Festival announced it received a $3.7 million bequest from Patricia Crawford Brown, a trustee of the festival, following her death in May at the age of 90.
The donation is the largest in the organization’s history, which was founded in 1964 as part of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, but has been independent since 1997. The gift will be used to establish a fund for student scholarships, helping student musicians from around the world study at the summer festival.
Brown is described by the festival as an “ardent supporter,” and she was honored in 2023 for her work raising scholarships for musicians. She first established a relationship with the festival upon retiring to Brunswick in 2001 following a long career in magazine publishing, during which she was a founding editor of Bon Appetit and editor-in-chief of Cuisine.
“Pat chose to make arts education her legacy, building opportunities for future generations of young musicians,” said Daniel Nitsch, executive director of the festival, in a prepared statement. “Her steadfast belief that everyone deserves a quality education, regardless of finances, inspires us all.”
