Rogene Russell

Rogene Russell

Longtime Preston Hollow resident Rogene Russell is a champion of all things music. She has spent 24 years as the principal oboist of The Dallas Opera Orchestra, 39 years with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and an adjunct music professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. She also serves as the artistic director of the Fine Arts Chamber Players, which she co-founded.

Her myriad music accomplishments made her the perfect person to honor with the creation of the Rogene Russell Scholarship Fund that will help scores of promising youth attain their own musical education. Don and Norma Stone’s $500,000 gift to the Fine Arts Chamber Players will be used to support DISD students, many of who take part in the free education classes offered by the players and championed by Russell.

“Rogene has made us aware that there are musically gifted, highly talented students in Dallas who need mentoring and financial assistance to reach their musical potential,” commented the Stones in a release. “The fund can provide some of their needed financing each year. Musical genius needs to be supported.”

The Stones raised another $60,000 in addition to their generous gift, and the Rogene Russell Scholarship Fund is open for additional contributions, which is being held by the Dallas Foundation (just click on “I’d like to give to a fund”).

Students can apply for the scholarship this fall when applications are posted to the Dallas Foundation and Fine Arts Chamber Players websites. The first award will be given in 2017.

“It is a privilege for Fine Arts Chamber Players to help develop the talent of so many DISD high school students who are challenged to pay for music lessons,” says Russell. “I am profoundly humbled and honored that my name is associated with this magnanimous fund initiated by the generosity of Don and Norma Stone.”