A generous gift from Donna Kinsey will benefit West Virginia University School of Music students for years to come.
When Donna Kinsey arrived in Morgantown in the summer of 1972, she was looking for opportunity — and a place to share her love of music. More than fifty years later, that love has deepened into a legacy. Kinsey recently made a five-year pledge to the West Virginia University School of Music to provide vital funding for the choir program.
Kinsey’s journey began in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where she first discovered a passion for music while singing with her church’s choir. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kinsey relocated to Morgantown to finish her master’s degree at WVU. Eager to put her skills to work, she sent letters to every church in town and landed a position at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.
Although full-time teaching positions in Monongalia County weren’t immediately available, Kinsey accepted substitute teaching assignments while continuing her church work. A year later, she secured a permanent teaching job, launching a long and fruitful career as a music educator.
“I dearly love to teach, and I think my favorite part is being able to show people that no matter what your skill level is, you can make music,” Kinsey said. “You can hum it or create it with your pots and pans while you’re doing the dishes. You can find ways of making music in your every day and opening that up for people is just a lot of fun.”
Over the years, Kinsey became a cornerstone of the local choral music scene and played a vital role in the lives of hundreds of young musicians. In addition to providing private lessons and classes, she has supported and served various groups over the years including Morgantown’s 200th Anniversary committee and the West Virginia Chapter of the American Choral Director's Association. She is also a long-standing member of the West Virginia University Community Choir.
“Donna’s commitment to music education and her generous spirit have shaped lives for decades,” said Kym Scott, associate professor and director of choral activities for the WVU School of Music. “She is a powerful example of the impact one person can have on a community.”
Kinsey’s connection to WVU only strengthened over the decades. Even in retirement, Kinsey has remained an enthusiastic supporter of the School of Music and is still active in the Community Choir.
“Dr. Kym Scott is such a vibrant person and a master at music making. She is excellent at choosing repertoire, and she makes it so fun to sing with the choir,” Kinsey said. “It’s incredible to have a college kid next to a man in his nineties singing tenor – all these different generations working together to create harmonies. It will give you goosebumps in a second.”
At the start of the fall 2024 season, Scott distributed music to the Community Choir participants and apologetically explained that state funding for the program had been cut, so instead of buying new music, they would be repeating pieces from the archive.
“I was angry. There was no money available for this group that is such a big ambassador for WVU. We’re from all walks of life in this community that brings together local residents and students and faculty. I just thought, ‘this isn’t right,’” Kinsey said.
Kinsey wanted to ensure the WVU Choir program would have the funding to buy music and pay for instrumentalists as needed, particularly in years when state funding runs short. Kinsey’s own 50-year experience with fluctuating budgets in public education also influenced her gift decision.
Donna Kinsey (front, center) sings with the WVU Community Choir directed by Professor Kym Scott.
“I was looking at it from two directions. First, I wanted to give Kym Scott what she needs, and second, I was looking to the future. If the state pulls all funding, I don’t want the choir director to be stuck with nothing else to do,” Kinsey said. “I taught for so long in the in the county schools, and some years your money disappeared. I don’t want anyone to be dependent on something so uncertain because that's just so unnerving and frustrating.”
The Donna Kinsey Choral Support Fund has reached more than $10,000 since she first established it in February of this year. Her personal pledge will reach $25,000 over the next five years, but she’s hoping other members of the choir community will add to that total.
“I know others have already contributed to the fund – not just because of me, but because they want to have the music available,” Kinsey said. “With this fund you can contribute $5, and it'll buy at least one piece of music. It’s set up so that anybody can contribute whatever they'd like.”
Additionally, Kinsey has included a $25,000 contribution to the fund as part of her estate plan, carrying forward her dedication to music and community.
Alumni and friends interested in supporting the Donna Kinsey Choral Support Fund can make a gift online or contact Andi Hasley, assistant director of development for the WVU College of Creative Arts and Media, at andrea.hasley@mail.wvu.edu. All gifts are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.