SAYREVILLE – A fundraiser intended to provide scholarships in the memory of a Sayreville resident killed by a drunk driver is being held in his hometown.
The Brandon Tyler Narleski Foundation will hold its fourth annual fundraiser at Club Pure, 1970 Route 35, on Oct. 13. Proceeds will be used for scholarships to Sayreville War Memorial High School (SWMHS) and Old Bridge High School and drum lessons for less fortunate individuals. There will be music, food and a tricky tray, according to representatives from the foundation.
A non-profit organization, the Brandon Tyler Narleski Foundation was created in 2015 in the memory of Narleski. According to the foundation, he had graduated from SWMHS in 2013 and received a certificate in audio technology from SAE Institute in New York City. While advancing his career in music as a music producer and recording engineer, in addition to starting an internship with Future Moguls in New York City, he was killed by a drunk driver in 2014 at age 19.
The organization provides the Brandon Tyler Narleski Creating Harmony Scholarship, which is for seniors at SWMHS who are pursuing music as their major.
“The foundation will provide a scholarship at SWMHS for a graduating senior who has both the talent and drive to continue his or her education in music,” the organization wrote in a statement. “This scholarship will be given annually at the end of every academic year to the student so he or she may apply it to furthering his or her education.
“The Brandon Tyler Narleski Creating Harmony Scholarship was established to continue Brandon’s gift of music and unity. Brandon’s love for all people and music gave him the inspiration to choose his career path and to work diligently to achieve his dream of becoming a music Producer and sound engineer. The goal of this award is to encourage and assist someone as passionate as Brandon to live his or her dreams.”
Also provided by the organization is the Brandon Tyler Narleski Drum Scholarship, which allows individuals to receive drum lessons at Big Beat Music Studio, Neptune City, with Joe Nevolo, who was Narleski’s mentor.
“The Brandon Tyler Narleski Drum Scholarship was created to assist a young, enthusiastic and passionate individual in achieving their goals,” according to the statement. “The reason Big Beat Studio was chosen for this drum scholarship is because of the level of excellence and craftsmanship Joe Nevolo puts into every lesson while teaching his students. Joe Nevolo is not only a world renowned drummer, but an excellent teacher as well. Brandon also honed in on his craft as a drum student under Joe Nevolo and his progress was amazing.
“Brandon always had the drive and love for the art of drumming and under the tutelage of Joe and Big Beat Studio, he had the ability to channel that passion into action. Through hard work, dedication, passion and, of course practice, Brandon was in a band with his best friend Zach and other friends. Brandon also started drum programming and producing compositions from different genres. Our hope is that the student awarded this scholarship is also as passionate and dedicated as Brandon to the art of drumming and uses the lessons to pursue their goals, channel their creativity and live their dreams.”
Additionally, the foundation will be financing the production of Narleski’s music projects.
“We also have purchased musical equipment for both the high school and Arleth School,” said Jeanne Monte, a member of the organization. “We are now trying to expand our foundation into the awareness of drunk driving which has taken the lives of so many of our children.”