Gary and Laura Maurer and their family have been involved with the Old Town School of Folk Music since the late 1970’s when they moved into a townhouse on W. Armitage Ave., just a few blocks away from the School. When the School began its major expansion campaign in the 1990’s, the Maurers decided to step-up their involvement.

Gary joined the Board in 1997, providing instrumental support when the School was campaigning to raise funds for the new 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue location. A few years later, when the School once again found itself in need of more space, the Maurers made a generous pledge towards constructing our East Building, across the street at 4545 N. Lincoln Ave. In recognition of their substantial support, the School named its main stage the Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall in their honor. “It’s something that we feel very proud of every time that we attend a concert there,” Gary mentioned. “It’s been a love affair from our standpoint. We get great joy out of it.”

The Maurers' long connection with the School and their generous donations over the years stem from their deep love of music and dance. Gary, a guitarist and songwriter, has taken classes at the School in guitar, harmonica, and songwriting, and Laura currently takes tap lessons.

But, the couple mentions their involvement also goes beyond concerts and classes. “The other thing we enjoy is the mission that the School has, what they’ve done for the neighborhood of Lincoln Square. The School I think provided the impetus for all that growth that’s taken place. Now it’s just a wonderful, busy area with young families, great restaurants...Seeing the difference that the Old Town School makes in the neighborhood or, even more broadly, the difference it makes in the city, that’s very gratifying.”