The Sandra Harrison Gavin Award

Established in 2021 by Ted and Amy Gavin in honor of Ted’s Mother, this award is presented to a Primavera Fund graduate each year for the purpose of assisting them in purchasing their “forever” instrument. Read on to learn about the Award in Ted’s words.

"My mother was a legal secretary and worked for Drinker, Biddle & Reath from the time I was a child until Multiple Sclerosis got the better of her and prevented her from working any longer, in the mid-1990s. During that time, she was my biggest cheerleader. When I, as a young high school musician, was accepted into Philadelphia Youth Orchestra - one of the world’s leading ensembles of its kind - she was thrilled. When I decided to study music in college, she sacrificed much for me to be able to own an instrument of my own. It was okay - it wasn’t great - but it was mine and pride of ownership counts for a lot.  Bassoons (my instrument then) aren’t inexpensive, and in the late 1980s, a couple thousand dollars for a legal secretary was a lot of money. So, when I say she sacrificed so that I could pursue my passion, I’m not kidding.

In looking for a way to honor my mom’s passing, we thought of a few things. She loved music. The day before she died, I was playing music for my mother from my iPad. She wasn’t communicative - she hadn’t spoken in over a year - but somewhere in the middle of The Beatles’ Rubber Soul album, she turned her head and stared at me. I said, “It’s the Beatles!” She continued to stare. I said, “We used to listen to this together!” She nodded. Later in the day, her right thumb moved along to Paul Simon’s “Graceland.” It was the only time she used her hands in those three days. She passed away peacefully just before noon on Mother’s Day - an irony she would have appreciated.

We felt that the best way to honor her, to honor her commitment to me when I was a young music student, was to combine the things she loved and the things she did.  I’m pleased to say that we have worked with The Primavera Fund, a Philadelphia-based charitable foundation that supports young, deserving musicians in need, to create the Sandra Harrison Gavin Award. The Award will be given annually to one Primavera Fund musician, who is also a member of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, to assist in their purchase of an instrument so that they can pursue music studies in college. Recipients will be judged on the basis of audition. I was in Philadelphia Youth Orchestra with the creator and Executive Director of the Primavera Fund, Rachel Segal. By focusing on Primavera Fund musicians, we ensure that only students with demonstrated economic need receive the award. By restricting it to Philly Youth Orchestra musicians who are pursuing music as a major in college, we ensure that the Award goes to the best and most deserving candidates.”