The Chehalem Valley and Mountain View middle school bands hosted “play-a-thon” events in October, raising more than $7,000 in the process.
More than 165 middle school students participated in Chehalem Valley’s event Oct. 4, which included performances from the Newberg High School jazz and concert bands. The high school students also led small group instruction sessions and the event culminated in a concert featuring all three levels of the middle school band. More than 40 parents also volunteered to run the event.
“It’s a huge thing for the high schoolers to do that,” CVMS band director Dave Sanders said. “And we had really good community support through several businesses. We really do appreciate their support.”
Mountain View held its play-a-thon Oct. 18, incorporating 137 middle school students and 10 parent volunteers.
Students at both events gathered pledges to raise money that will be spent on things like fees for band festivals, field trips, instrument repairs and scholarships for band camp and private lessons.
“It’s for normal occurrences that happen throughout the year,” Sanders said. “It helps the whole building because it’s less money the principal has to put out for that kind of thing. It’s kind of a catch-all for a lot of things.”
Both bands plan to attend the Oregon State University Band Festival this year and both will perform in Chehalem Valley’s own festival, which will be held at George Fox University.
“The money is not the big thing,” Sanders said. “The big thing is how the community comes together and supports these programs.”
Written by Seth Gordon, Newberg Graphic
