Many people have heard of the “summer slide” – the decline in skills that can occur over the summer months when school isn't in session. Well, for seven lucky students in Bristol, the opposite is happening – their skills are actually improving this summer. Specifically their music skills, thanks to grants from the Dan Cistulli Memorial Music Fund at Main Street Community Foundation.

This fund awarded $1,200 in grants to seven students in grades 4-8 throughout the Bristol community. Depending on their skill level, the students are either receiving three one-hour music lessons or six to seven half-hour music lessons this summer. The lessons range from voice to alto saxophone to baritone horn to trumpet.

When Dante (Dan) Dominic Cistulli II passed away suddenly in 2004, his family thought about how his memory could inspire and help others. Dan had a lifelong commitment to music, so they turned to the Main Street Community Foundation to help them set up a fund to provide music lessons for Bristol students, who were in need of financial assistance.

"Music was my brother’s life,” stated John Cistulli, Dan’s brother. “He lived it, he played it, he wanted other people to have a part of that music. Our family feels very grateful to have the ability to give this award out to these young musicians. Dan would be very pleased to know his love of music is being carried on.”

“These grants will leave a mark on the students’ lives, and the community, for many years to come,” said Susan Sadecki, President & CEO of the Community Foundation.

One of the students chosen to receive a grant, a 6th grader at West Bristol School, said, “Music has inspired me to follow my dreams, do what’s right and be the kind of leader that I would follow… Music, family, and friends are the things that keep me chugging forwards and will always keep me moving.”