School gets help from Springsteen connections
Getting one ticket to see Bruce Springsteen play in concert for $10 would in itself be remarkable. Getting two tickets for that price is unheard of.
Throw in passes to the VIP E Street Lounge, where you can go backstage and enjoy a relaxing drink before the show, and then tack on $1,500 in cash to defray travel expenses to see the band at the venue of your choice — and what you’ve got for $10 is a screaming good deal.
But that’s just what some lucky stiff is going to win — thanks to the combined efforts of Whitefish residents Toby Scott and Garry Tallent — and of course Springsteen himself.
Scott is sound engineer for Springsteen, and Tallent is the founding bass guitarist for Springsteen E Street Band. They wanted to do something to help local youth become involved in music at a young age, so they have teamed up to organize a raffle of two concert tickets to see “The Boss” perform during the “Wrecking Ball Tour.” Raffle ticket proceeds will benefit Whitefish Middle School and High School as well as the North Valley Music School.
The winner will receive two premium seats, or pit passes, to any Bruce Springsteen concert on the spring tour starting March 18. The tickets, which are being donated by Springsteen, include passes to the VIP E Street Lounge. In addition, the winner will receive $1,500 towards travel expenses.
Raffle tickets will be sold from today through noon March 16 for $10 each, or three for $25. Tickets may be purchased at Whitefish Middle School, Whitefish High School, North Valley Music School and any Sportsman, Bookworks or Coffee Traders location. Raffle ticket purchases are a tax-deductible donation.
A winner will be drawn at 7 p.m. March 17 during the Whitefish High School Pops Concert in the O’Shaughnessy Center. The winner need not be present to win. Two alternates will be drawn in case the prize is declined or there is an inability to contact the primary winner.
Scott, WHO has worked in the music industry for more than 40 years, spearheaded two earlier Springsteen ticket raffles in 2008 and 2009, thanks to his personal involvement with the local music education scene.
After talking with Whitefish band director Mark McCrady, Scott realized the need for replacing old band instruments.
With a son who is in the middle school band and a North Valley Music School piano student, Scott also saw the positive impact local music programs have on youth.
When the raffle was held in 2009, it raised between $9,000 and $10,000.
“This has just been an amazing source of funding for our program,” McCrady said. “As the program grows, we need to fill in gaps and provide equipment to all kids.”
While there is money in the school budget for instrument repairs, there is not always money available to purchase instruments to replace those beyond repair. With raffle ticket proceeds McCrady has purchased expensive instruments such as a tuba, drum set and upright bass.
“We had to retire a baritone saxophone that would cost more than the value to fix it and decided to put aside $5,000 for it.”
If you want to do your part to help make sure the next generation of musicians turns out to have its share of Springsteens and Tallents, then buy a ticket. Who knows? You might even get to see Springsteen, Tallent and the rest of the E Street Band sometime in the next month or two.
For tour dates visit www.brucespringsteen.net
Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com