Richard F. Dennis is known for his outstanding work as a teacher, violinist, conductor, and adjudicator on the local, state, national, and international levels. Mr. Dennis chose to spend his final 32 years before retirement, teaching in the Washington Township Schools, and developing one of the premier orchestra programs in the country. It was in recognition of his great dedication and many significant achievements in music education that the North Central Orchestra parents, friends, colleagues, former students, relatives, and music lovers of all varieties established the scholarship program known as the Dick Dennis Endowment.
The fund was established in the fall of 2005, with the blessing of Mr. Dennis just a few weeks before he passed away, to enable young Washington Township string players, who might not otherwise be able to receive assistance in pursuing their love of orchestra, just that opportunity. And as the endowment grows, so too will the number of young string students who will benefit from it.