The Opry Heritage Foundation of Oklahoma (OHFO) strives to provide music education and artist development to underserved groups in Oklahoma. Through their efforts, they continue to expand the music and tourism industry in our community, developing Oklahoma performers and crafting family-friendly live entertainment for our state.
Through their Strings of Valor program, OHFO offers free guitar lessons to veterans, serving hundreds of individuals in the last decade. Operating under the national Guitars for Vets program, the Oklahoma Opry partners with the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Recreational Therapy Department, creating a much-needed outlet through music.
Beyond veterans, the Oklahoma Opry also supports music education to children from low-income families. Offering both private and group lessons, they have partnered with organizations such as Positive Tomorrows, Mission Academy High School, and the Arts Council OKC, the latter of which has helped them expand their programming to the OKC Public Schools district.
“Veterans with disabilities previously had limited options for creating music… the Culture & Community grant allowed us to provide [new options].”
– Cindy Scarberry
Executive Director, OHFO
In the last few years, OHFO has received two grants from OCCF’s Culture & Community Grant Program, both in FY24 and in the recent FY26 grant cycle.
During the FY24 grant cycle, the Oklahoma Opry’s Granville Community Music School offered 980 group and private music lessons to 172 students, while its Guitars for Vets program provided 144 music lessons to 75 veterans. In addition, the Opry’s Official Country Music Show supported 108 Oklahoma musicians, hosting 19 concerts and 40 radio broadcasts and providing Artist Development workshops.
Beyond the outcomes, the Oklahoma Opry is using these grants to meet individuals on a personal level.
“Veterans with disabilities previously had limited options for creating music,” shared Cindy Scarberry, OHFO’s Executive Director. “Thurman, a blind veteran, was unsure about joining our Guitars for Vets program. With personalized support from our coordinator, he learned to navigate an acoustic guitar but soon realized the bass guitar suited him better. Although bass isn’t typically offered through the national program, the Culture & Community grant allowed us to provide Thurman with a bass, amp, and electronic tuner. After graduating, we gifted him the equipment, and he now attends monthly group jams.”
Through strategic partnerships and support from OCCF, OHFO continues to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals who may not have had access to music education otherwise. Learn more about the Opry Heritage Foundation of Oklahoma or donate to their Endowment, securing annual, reliable, sustainable funding for the organization at the links below.
Thurman with his bass guitar at a monthly jam.