“My love of music all started with my mom, Connie Newlin, making me take piano lessons at age 7.  It seemed that everybody on my mom’s side of the family from mom playing piano at church, Great Grandpa Barney writing and publishing a song during WW2 to my Great Aunt Shirley playing piano and organ at the silent movies.  Performing music runs deep in my family.

I’ve spent pretty much my entire life performing music.  From piano recitals as a kid to jazz band and choir accompanist in school, to a jazz school in Hollywood to going on the road and performing in every type of bar and venue you can think of up to the big stages in my 40s and 50’s, I’ve been blessed to be a part of it all.

Greeley, Colorado has been my home for 30 years.  I started a wonderful real estate career in 1999 and have had the opportunity to work with everybody from the young to the old and the rich to barely getting by.  This community has given me so much, so I decided it was time to give back.

Mom passed away in December of 2021.  Before she died, we had talked about doing different things with the money that she had been saving.  Real estate investing, travel, doing things for friends and family, etc.  We never thought of creating a foundation as we didn’t have the big money that I thought was needed for that kind of endeavor.

Losing Mom was rough on me as I believe it is for all of us when we lose a parent.  It took a couple years, but one day I thought, why not create something for the community that has given me so much?   

Supporting Greeley / Evans schools has been important to me as my kids completed K-12 in Greeley / Evans District 6….even when it wasn’t cool to do so.  I remember so many parents pulling their kids out of District 6 to the newer, shiny schools in other towns.  They had their reasons, right or wrong, but I’ve always believed that the schools needed good parents with good kids to help the district turn the corner and eventually get to better times.

When my kids were in school, especially at Heath Middle School and high school at Greeley Central, they were both involved in the music programs.  I remember them constantly asking to buy rosin, strings, reeds, etc.  I always thought that this is something that the school took care of.  I was wrong. 

It occurred to me that I was fortunate to be able to buy those things for the kids when needed but what about the rest of the kids?  I know for a fact that teachers were coming out of their own pockets to help those that couldn’t afford it.  I didn’t think much of it at the time, but I’m sure District 6 lost the opportunity to introduce music to the kids due to the financial obstacles that so many in our community face.

It hit me like a ton of bricks in October of 2023.  How can I invest my money and support the    District 6 music program?  It took a lot of meetings with local smart folks, money professionals, District 6 folks, former teachers and just a lot of dreaming, but I got it done!

Introducing The Crescendo Foundation.  I created the foundation as a 501c3 non profit with an initial investment of $30,000 for the specific mission of supporting the day to day needs for musicians in the Greeley / Evans District 6 music programs. The money is held in an annuity that will gain interest annually.  Every year, the Crescendo Foundation will assess the gains in the account and forward that money to the District.  It’s not a lot but it just might be enough to make a difference and to keep a musician learning a craft that can be so important in life.”

John DeWitt, Founder

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Board of Directors

John DeWitt - Founder

James Herman James Herman has been a proud member of the Northern Colorado community for over 40 years. With a deep commitment to service, he has volunteered with the Greeley Stampede for 27 years, including five years on the Stampede Committee as the Rodeo Chairman. James is also actively involved in several local organizations, serving on the boards of the Greeley Stampede Foundation, Weld Food Bank, Island Grove Advisory Board, and the Aims Community College Foundation. His dedication reflects a lifelong passion for strengthening the Northern Colorado community through leadership and volunteerism.

Brian Gary is a legend in the radio industry and brings quite the resume. Gary has won multiple Colorado Broadcasters Association Awards,  Two time winner of the Country Music Association Award for best morning show, won the Rex Howell award for Broadcaster of the Year in the Colorado Broadcasters Association and is a member of the Country Radio Hall of Fame among many other accolades. Brian spent 30+ years on K99 radio as the head Good Morning Guy and currently wakes up northern Colorado as co host of Good Morning NOCO on KFKA radio. Brian and his wife Kyla along with their family have lived in the Greeley area for nearly 40 years. 

“Every penny I ever had as a kid was spent on music and I guess I’m still a kid because that’s what I still love and spend my money on the most. I want to make sure every kid who has the desire, has the tools they need to pursue making music.”

Lynn Casseday Born and raised in Greeley Colorado.  Spent most of my life here, with the exception of 4 years in the Air Force stationed in Minot North Dakota during the Vietnam conflict.  Then 2 years in the National Guard here in Greeley.  Became a concrete Contractor and a General Contractor in 1975.  Spent my career here pouring concrete, foundations and flatwork and building houses and commercial properties.  My wife Deb Casseday and I live on a 20 acre farm surrounded by Greeley and take care of our 4 horses and many other small animals.  

My love for music started when I tried to learn the violin in the 5th grade with little success.  Then as a teen I picked up the guitar and learned it some.  I was in a band for a while but was a terrible musician.  But that didn’t discourage me from loving music.  Being a part of the Crescendo Foundation is a great privilege for me.  Any way I can help young musicians learn and advance their skills in music puts me all in.

Stephanie DeWitt