The China Spring ISD fine arts program received a $20,000 gift this week from the Lorraine Baumann Memorial Trust. The donation was made in honor of Lorraine Baumann Reagan and will support the China Spring Primary Music Department and fine arts programs across the district.
The gift will be used to purchase new risers and musical instruments. While many of the instruments will benefit primary students, the risers will support fine arts programs districtwide.
The connection to China Spring ISD was made through Karin Engelman, a teacher at China Spring Primary School who works closely with primary music teacher Niki Edwards. Engelman's mother and aunt regularly volunteer at the campus as reading buddies, where they read alongside primary students. They are direct nieces of Lorraine Baumann Regan.
Baumann Reagan was an accomplished musician and educator. She earned a doctorate from the University of Miami and worked as a music professor. She also composed and arranged music for Columbia Records and performed at Carnegie Hall. Family members say she loved sharing music wherever she was, on cruise ships, in church and at her assisted living facility. She especially enjoyed playing duets with her nieces and nephews.
"Aunt Lorraine had a passion for music," Engelman said. "She would try to get us to sing along or play the piano with her whenever we were together. She often told me that playing an instrument was something I could do all my life and that music helps our brains stay sharp."
Engelman said her great-aunt instructed that the trust be used to support music education.
Engelman shares it is meaningful to see her great-aunt's love for music live on through students at China Spring ISD.
"I feel so blessed," Engelman said. "She would want to share this, and her heart for music will impact future students. Aunt Lorraine loved people, she loved music, and she wanted to share it. She's getting to do that, even beyond her time here on Earth."
China Spring Primary music teacher Niki Edwards said the donation will make a lasting difference for students.
"A donor gift like this is perfect for such a large purchase, and students across China Spring will benefit from it," Edwards said.
Edwards said having quality equipment helps students succeed and grow in the fine arts.
"This is a lasting gift that will help our fine arts program continue to grow and remain first rate," Edwards said. "We want our students to excel, and they need quality instruments and resources to do that. If I can help children fall in love with music, that love can last a lifetime."
District leaders said the donation honors Baumann Reagan's legacy while expanding opportunities for students to learn, perform and develop a lifelong appreciation for music.