In 1978, Harry and Alice Eiler first conceived a program to assist young singers over a protracted Sunday brunch at their home in Studio City, California with Glynn Ross, Impresario of the Seattle Opera and leading spokesman for Wagner’s “Ring” and Opera in America. Meeting at their home in Studio City, California, the talks went on well into the late afternoon. Mr. Ross suggested that most young musicians find various financial support during their formal educational years but then require help at the outset of their career when they are just ‘breaking through’ or giving up forever their pursuit of a career in music. There are simply much fewer opportunities to find performances/commissions and ‘on-the-job training’ after leaving the halls of academia!
A History of the Organization
For the next ten years , Harry and Alice became pre-occupied with the role of ‘hosts’ of their new resort on a private island in the harbor of Port Antonio, Jamaica. However faced with almost insurmountable diffi-
culties they decided to forego this project and returned to Studio City with lots of free time on their hands. They subsequently relocated to Encinitas, California and it was here that Harry began his musical studies in earnest.
While Harry was at the University of California at San Diego, as a student of musical theory and composition, the Eilers renewed their interest in supporting young musicians. On their
own, they assisted young musicians with direct aid by providing some of the necessary tools (upgraded computers, sound modules, programs, etc) so necessary to accomplish the work of today’s music. In 2004, The Harry and Alice Eiler Foundation was incorporated and established with a budget of $10,000 per annum to formalize their efforts on behalf of music today.
In the future, after the demise of both grantors, The Foundation will continue with increased fervor as all the assets of the Eiler Trust will be converted to income producing securities. This income shall then enable the Board of Directors, under the guidance and leadership of composer Richard Carrick, PhD, to fund a variety of grants and prizes.
Glynn Ross
The Eiler’s support of its “Grane Award” went on for four years until Mr. Ross left Seattle to leave his mark on the Arizona Opera. Their financial support ended in 1982; however, in the following year, marking the 100th anniversary of Wagner’s death, they brought all four award winners together in a concert at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles.