Alternative Assets
Grant Mathews ’26 (first row, far right) rehearses Charles Mingus’s “Fables of Faubus” with the University of Vermont Jazz Ensemble on a baritone saxophone donated by Betty Mayer ’93 and Paul Mayer, M.D. Photo by David Seaver.
Sweet & Low
Paul and Betty Mayer of Shelburne, Vermont have been connected to UVM for decades—Paul as a member of the Larner College of Medicine’s clinical faculty, and Betty as a non-traditional student who earned her degree in studio art here in the 1990s. In their retirement, they have become increasingly active supporters, volunteers, and donors, with interests that span the campus, from athletics to medicine, from art to engineering to jazz. In each case, the couple has been inspired to become (and stay) involved by relationships with individual students, coaches, and faculty—and they always place students at the heart of everything they do for UVM, big and small. That is why, when Professor of Music and Director of the University Jazz Ensemble Alex Stewart told the Mayers that his students needed a baritone saxophone, they said, “we’ll help.”
The baritone saxophone has a big personality. Its low, powerful sound is part of the foundation upon which any great jazz ensemble is built. And UVM has a great jazz ensemble, which is why it was so problematic that it had to rely on borrowing a “bari” (as the instruments are called by the acquainted) from the UVM Concert Band. Professor Stewart was able to locate a top-of-the-line professional instrument, a coveted Selmer Super Action 80 Series II Jubilee, and Paul and Betty made a gift of it to the Department of Music in the spring of 2021. “Lack of our own bari was really holding these musicians back,” recalls Stewart. “Now, I expect saxophone students will be eager to volunteer for ‘baritone duty’ on this beautiful instrument for decades to come. We are so fortunate to have supporters like Betty and Paul who understand our needs and whose generosity and appreciation for the music enriches the experience for my students.”
Now the “Mayer Bari” finds itself in the capable hands of up-and-coming jazz performers like Grant Mathews, a first-year music theory major from Syracuse, New York. “The first time I played this bari, I couldn’t believe how amazing it sounded,” he says. “I am so grateful for this great opportunity—everyone in the group loves it, and having this instrument in my hands really makes me want to give it my all.”
The Mayer Bari may not be the most public expression of Paul and Betty’s commitment to UVM students (the endowed women’s basketball head coach position bears their name) or the most life-changing (they have created an endowed scholarship fund for medical students and every year support internships for art students), but it is a valuable example of donors and faculty members working together to offer students special opportunities that can shape their time at UVM, and perhaps the rest of their lives.
Photo by Andy Duback.
“Over the years, we have come to appreciate the gem that this university is. We also appreciate the limitations often imposed on educators and programs due to lack of funding,” say the Mayers. “We are happy to do our part to help UVM provide the best tool to allow the best students to make their best music. The baritone has a resonance and depth of tone unique to each player, and we are excited to know that this special instrument will allow a lot of students to make ‘big music’ for a very long time.”
In Their Own Words
Betty and I came to UVM in 1956 and 1969 respectively—she as a student nurse and I as a medical resident. We have been students and teachers here ever since.
While Betty has natural musical skills I have settled for the appreciation of the power of music on people when performed by skilled musicians.
Our appreciation and subsequent involvement with the UVM Department of Music and with Jazz Studies was the result of a “happy” happenstance. My dentist, whose side gig is professional bassist and pianist, had an older son who was naturally talented and enrolled in the Jazz Studies program. I lent him my Selmer Mark VI Alto and Tenor saxes which I no longer had the time to play. We began to attend the biannual concerts and became aware of the high caliber of the diverse student musicians.
Over the years, we have come to appreciate the gem that this University is. We also appreciate the limitations often imposed on our educators due to lack of funding. We began to look for areas where a modest investment could result in a big return. Support of faculty, specific programs, and, of greatest importance, the students, became our primary goal.
We have already supported the Jazz Studies program with modest annual donations which have allowed master classes and performances by visiting professionals, and a “bus tour” of southern Vermont by students to simulate “life on the road” and provide visibility to high school students who might be motivated to apply to the program.
When Professor Alex Stewart approached us with the request to support the purchase of the baritone sax, we were all in. The baritone played by a skilled musician moves people from their very cores (think Harry Carney who played for Duke Ellington, Gerry Mulligan, James Carter, Gary Smulyan who played here, and Alex Stewart himself who played for years with the Lionel Hampton Band). It is a physically large horn with a resonance and depth of tone unique to each player.
We felt it is important that this University provide its students with the best tool to allow the best students to make their best music.
It fits our criteria for a modest investment for a special instrument capable of a “big sound” to allow a lot of students to make “big music” for a very long time.
Do you have collections, real estate, or other non-monetary assets that you would consider donating to the University of Vermont? Please email impact@uvm.edu or call 1-888-458-8691 to start a conversation.