Amarillo Symphony to Host Book Drive in Honor of Eddie Melin

The Amarillo Symphony, the leader of orchestral music in the Texas Panhandle since 1924, announces the upcoming book drive to benefit the Opportunity School in honor of Eddie Melin who's greatest joy was reading to the four-year-olds at the Opportunity School of Amarillo. The Amarillo Symphony's 2015-2016 season is dedicated to Eddie Melin.

"Once a month, I read stories to four-year-olds at Opportunity School. When I walk in, there are shouts of, 'Hi, Eddie,' and, 'Hi Grandpa'. Then I get fourteen hugs, After I read, I get fourteen more. It's the best part of my life." - Stories from an Old Man by Eddie Melin, (1912-2015)

"Daddy loved kids - and they loved him. He was a music teacher and a terrific father," said Eddie Melin's daughter and author Vicki Schoen. "He was a strong believer in education and he owned a book store. Opportunity School was a natural for him when his days of raising kids and going to work every day were over. He looked forward to reading to the four-year-olds and to getting greetings and hugs from them. He said it was the best part of his life. I can't think of a more appropriate partnership to honor him than the Amarillo Symphony and Opportunity School."

Eddie Melin, a lifelong lover of music began playing piano at the age of five. For many years, Eddie played the violin in the Amarillo Symphony and served as business manager. He and Dr. A. Clyde Roller are credited with saving the organization from financial collapse in the early 1950s along with financial help from the Bivins Foundation. Eddie Melin enjoyed working with students and one of his favorite past times was to read to the students of The Opportunity School.

"It's important to me that the Symphony also support the ideals Eddie cared deeply about," said Corey Cowart Executive Director of the Amarillo Symphony. "By partnering with Opportunity School, we continue honoring the legacy of a great man and the difference he made at both institutions."

The Amarillo Symphony worked with the Opportunity School to build a list of books that would best benefit the school and students. The "Remembering Eddie Melin" wish list can be accessed from the home page at www.AmarilloSymphony.org. Both organizations invite you to donate a book in honor of Eddie Melin so these organizations can continue to educate and enhance students' lives in Amarillo.

"Eddie Melin was an important member of Opportunity School's family," said Jill Goodrich Executive Director of the Opportunity School. "He shared his love for children with every book he read to our students. We appreciate the Amarillo Symphony's help in collecting new books in Eddie's honor to continue building a love of language and learning for all of Opportunity School's young learners!"

The book drive will be active throughout the month of March and will end in early April. To purchase a book for the "Remembering Eddie Melin" book drive and honor Eddie please visit www.AmarilloSymphony.org. Questions can be directed to the Amarillo Symphony office at 806-376-8782.

The 2015 - 2016 season is sponsored in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts. Learn more about the Amarillo Symphony at www.AmarilloSymphony.org.

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