Every year, Ruth and Arno Drucker loyally support the school to which they have been so deeply tied throughout their long careers. “All alumni owe an allegiance to their institution,” says Dr. Arno Drucker (DMA ’70, Piano). They continue to strengthen their long-held commitment to Peabody by maintaining membership in the Friedberg Society.
The Friedberg Society is named in honor of Sidney and Miriam Friedberg, whose generosity launched a new era of philanthropic leadership at Peabody. Friedberg Society donors sustain and enhance Peabody by giving $1,000 or more over the course of a fiscal year. Peabody celebrates these donors by inviting them to a special performance and lunch in May of each year.
In 2000, the Druckers endowed a scholarship to benefit voice and piano students. Approximately $2,000 is awarded to one student per year, Dr. Drucker says. “It’s important that we help students,” he says. “We wish we could help a lot more. We care about the students.” And in order to increase their impact, the Druckers give annually, adding to the scholarship’s endowment.
Dr. Drucker was the first of Leon Fleisher’s students to receive the DMA degree, and he taught on the Peabody faculty from 1977 to 1985. His distinguished career includes serving as principal pianist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for more than 20 years, as well as participation in several noted chamber music ensembles. Mrs. Drucker, a Viennese-born soprano, has been an active performer and teacher, serving on the Peabody faculty for 20 years. She continues to give private lessons to Peabody students and alumni.
“They called us ‘Peabody North,’” she quips, because so many students have taken lessons in the couple’s Baltimore County music studio. “We still maintain close ties with many former students who are performing around the world,” she says.
The Druckers acknowledge that it takes a great deal of funding to keep an institution like Peabody thriving and competitive. “Money is terribly important,” says Dr. Drucker. “The effort to encourage giving through legacies and wills, it’s the right thing to do.” Through the Druckers’ scholarship endowment and loyal annual giving, they continue to have a persevering impact on the school.
— Christine Stutz
