Playing it Forward: Sally Jensen ’74G Turns Music into a Lifelong Gift

Plymouth Symphonic Band directed by Professor Jared Staub.

When Sally Jensen ‘74G retired in 2000 after a decades-long career in education, she expected her connection to the classroom would likely fade. Instead, her retirement marked the beginning of a vibrant new chapter deeply rooted in music, mentorship, and giving back. 

Jensen grew up in Michigan and was drawn to music early on – playing both saxophone and clarinet. But when it came time to choose a college major, her path shifted.

“I wanted to study music back then, but my mom said no,” Jensen recalls. “Options were limited, she told me.” Still, Jensen had a strong interest in teaching, so she enrolled at Central Michigan University and pursued a degree in education. Although she minored in music, her passion for the art form took a back seat.

Sally Jensen ’74G with past scholarship recipient Laura Nadeau.

Eventually, she made her way to New Hampshire and earned her Master of Education from Plymouth State College in 1974. She went on to spend 30 years as a dedicated educator at Holderness Central School. During that time, her connection with Plymouth State deepened. 

While teaching at Waterville Valley Elementary School, she pursued additional coursework toward her science certification in elementary education – supported by mentors like Dr. Warren Tomkiewicz ’66 and Dr. Dennis Machnik.

For Jensen, music, art, and science have always been interwoven. 

“There’s such a science to music,” she explains, citing everything from musical theory to cutting-edge sonification research in astronomy. “Everything is connected, and that’s the key. It’s about keeping that connection alive in our life’s journey.” (This connection is also what has kept Jensen in education to this day; she still serves as a NASA Solar System Ambassador.)

Though she built a strong foundation in science for her students, her affinity for music never faded.

In 1999, inspired by a Mozart concerto, Jensen picked up her clarinet again and joined the Symphonic Band at Plymouth State, directed by long-time professor Dr. Gary Corcoran. 

As an alumna and community member, she not only performed, but connected with, the students she shared the stage with. During this time, she gained valuable insight into their lives, challenges, and aspirations. 

“There was one percussionist in particular,” she recalls, “who had been given lemons in life, and he made lemonade. His tenacity inspired me. He reminded me why I cared so much about music.” 

Seeing firsthand the financial struggles many students faced, such as housing insecurity, sparked something in Jensen. A proud member of the Holmes Heritage Society, she had already included Plymouth State in her trust. But she felt compelled to act now, not just later. That motivation led to the creation of the Symphonic Band Scholarship, which supports students with financial need who are active members of the ensemble. 

Since its creation in 2013, this growing scholarship has been awarded to 19 students. For many recipients, it’s made a tangible difference. 

“This award will surely help my mom and I with the financial burden of paying for my college education,” shared one student. “I love music with all my heart—it is my passion and always will be.”

Dr. Jonathan Santore, professor of music theory and composition, is touched by Jensen’s hands-on approach to giving.

“I’m so moved by the fact that Sally started out joining the  Symphonic Band, which is a joint student-community organization, and that her desire to contribute to our scholarship funds arose from getting to know and work with the students she encountered there,” he says. “She asked herself, ‘How can I improve the academic lives of these students I’ve come to know well?’ While we appreciate all paths to helping our students grow and thrive, this one is particularly meaningful to the department and I.”

Jensen is hopeful that the scholarship will reach full endowment within the next two years, ensuring its sustainability for generations of students to come. This includes enlisting the support of other donors and alumni who have felt compelled to give back to students through this fund. 

But for her, it’s not about the size of the gift, it’s about the act of giving. 

“I didn’t have a lot to give, but I’ve done what I can. Watching students grow has brought me real joy,” Jensen reflects.

Music remains a central thread in Jensen’s life as a connection to students, to learning, and to purpose. Whether a student plays in the Symphonic Band for one semester or four years, she believes in the power of a single note, a single opportunity. 

“Music transcends. We need it more than ever.”

When asked what advice she’d offer others considering a gift, her message is simple: give what you can, when you can. 

“You can give in small increments”, she says. “If I have the means to give, I give. Each day is precious, and we don’t know what’s coming next. If you’ve been blessed, find a way to pass that on.”