"I am the director of a growing high school band program that serves students of a culturally diverse population. We are 57% free/reduced lunch. We are 70% African American, 15% White, 10% Hispanic, 5% Other. Next year will be the first time our band has competed in marching and concert competitio...
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"I am the director of a growing high school band program that serves students of a culturally diverse population. We are 57% free/reduced lunch. We are 70% African American, 15% White, 10% Hispanic, 5% Other. Next year will be the first time our band has competed in marching and concert competitions in over 20 years. In order to compete we need to have balanced instrumentation. I currently have about 70 students and need to provide low reed and low brass instruments to fill out the sound in order to be prepared for competitions.
One of the instruments our program needs is a Tenor Saxophone. The instrument will be used by an alto saxophone player to provide the baritone voice of the woodwind section. It will be used in rehearsals, at football games, at marching competitions, and at concerts. Only 1 student will use this instrument. However, it will be reused from year to year and will become permanent inventory of the band program. It will serve the instrumentation needs of our program for many years to come.
The tenor saxophone will be one more piece of the puzzle towards us becoming a viable, competitive band program. My goal is for our students to develop a life long love of music. I am using the competitive band program as my vehicle to teach this.
The cost of a tenor saxophone is $905, including shipping and fulfillment.
Mr. W. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Nov 12, 2007
Dear LSB, Andrea, Rafe Colburn, Christopher and Anonymous Donor,
I cannot express the gratitude I feel today for providing our band program with a brand new tenor saxophone! When everyone said it was not possible to have a strong, large band program at Southside, I said it was. This year has been incredible for us so far. The marching band boasted a proud membership of 60 this year as compared to 23 last year! We went to 2 marching competitions, for the first time in 21 years, and placed 2nd at both, received superior ratings in the area of colorguard, drum major, and drumline and overall excellent rating for the band. The band program is growing by leaps and bounds and your incredibly generous donation is sure to add yet another pound of cement in what we're building. Again, I cannot express my gratitude enough for your generous contribution. I have the students in place and now it is truly a blessing to have new equipment for them to play... leave the rest to me! I promise you will be proud of the work our band program is doing and you will see the fruits of your gift. Again, Thank You!
Bradley D. W
Director of Bands
Southside High School
Greenville, SC
On Feb 5, 2008, Mr. W. followed this note with student letters sent via mail to the donor who completed this project, and to donors who gave $100 or more.
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Gretchen G. (staff member)
on Apr 21, 2007
