Donations keep Evergreen musicians performing

The Daily Inter Lake

Thanks in part to support from the Evergreen community, the music program at Evergreen Junior High School is flourishing.

The band program exploded last fall when it was opened to fifth-graders for the first time. Last year, nine students participated in the beginning band program; in fall 2008, 45 students enrolled. Currently about 30 students participate.

The school welcomed students' enthusiasm, but the enrollment spike created one problem: There wasn't a wide enough variety of instruments to go around.

The school turned first to the parent-teacher organization for help. The group sponsored an instrument drive in February. More recently, the PTO and Rotary Club of Evergreen presented the music program with instruments, a projector and money.

The PTO recently donated $3,000 to the band program to buy instruments. The Rotary Club donated a projector and six instruments: two trombones, two clarinets, a trumpet and a flute.

Earlier instrument drive efforts brought in a clarinet, trombone, snare drum set, French horn, two flutes and an alto saxophone.

"This may seem little, but each instrument could be worth $100 to $500 new, so these donations certainly have some value," Evergreen music teacher Kurt Weber said.

In another sense, the instruments are priceless. They give students who might never otherwise have been able to play the opportunity to make music.

"One fifth-grade student could not purchase an instrument, but through a staff donation is one of our anchor players," Weber said. "If the staff hadn't provided the instrument, the band would certainly not be as proficient, and that student would probably never have discovered their talent."

In return for the donations, the band students put on an "appreciation concert" Tuesday for the PTO and Rotary club.

"It was great," Rotary Club of Evergreen President Malinda Shafman said. "The kids are so positive. I can tell that (Weber) is just doing an excellent job with the program."

In addition to filling out the Evergreen band's sound - and filling in for instruments students have forgotten at home - the instruments the school receives may be used in general music classes, Weber said.

"Every instrument, donated or purchased, has the potential to allow a student to discover skills in music," Weber said.

For additional information about the music program, call the school at 751-1131.