Part of the Tonasket High School drumline performing at the North Valley Hospital Grand Opening on Wednesday, Sept. 22 exhibited to the community what they’re supporting when they donate money to the Tonasket Music Boosters to send the drumline and the
TONASKET – The Tonasket High School band and Tonasket Music Boosters have begun the fundraising process to raise $35,000 for the band to travel to Disneyland this spring.
There will be several different fundraising activities coming up.
“We’re having a really wonderful auction on Oct. 23,” Patti Middleton, band instructor, said. “In a couple of weeks we’re going to have a Krispy Kreme sale. Our goal for that is for each of the 60 kids to sell 20 boxes. We want to do three of these between now and February.”
Jim Wheeler, a Tonasket Music Boosters member, said the first Krispy Kreme sale will be going on through October.
“Band members and supporters will be taking orders between Wednesday, Oct. 6 and Sunday, Oct. 17,” Wheeler said. “Doughnuts will be available Friday, Oct. 22 at 2:30 p.m. A dozen delicious Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts are only $10 with the proceeds going directly to the fundraising effort.”
He added that there will also be a limited number of dozens available at the Benefit Concert and Silent Auction, Saturday, Oct. 23 at THS.
“So don’t delay, reserve your boxes of doughnuts today,” Wheeler said. “For more information or to order your scrumptious Krispy Kreme doughnuts, contact either a band member or Randall Newton on his cell phone at (509) 560-3190 or by e-mail at randall.newton@gmail.com.”
Middleton said other fund raisers are Sponsor a Band member, potato feeds at football games, the concert and auction on Oct. 23 and a high school band and choir fundraising dinner and concert on Feb. 16.
“The kids are also willing to work to raise money so anyone who would like to support the music department can call 486-2161 and talk to me,” Middleton said.
The trip to Disneyland has two parts, both educational, for the group. The first is a clinic backstage in Disneyland. During the clinic, a famous guest conductor will go over the band’s performance offering constructive criticism and will then conduct the band with Disney music. While the band plays, the music will be recorded and then put over a Disney feature and placed a DVD for the band to take home with them. The second part of the trip will be for the band to march in a Disneyland parade, but for this part, they have to apply and be accepted.
On Thursday, Sept. 23, the band recorded a performance to send to Disneyland for the application.
“I think the recording went really well and sounded really good,” Middleton said. “The weather was perfect with the sun out. Kirk Gildroy’s friend Tony came over from the Methow Valley and taped for us. We played ‘You Give Love a Bad Name.'”
Middleton said the band just recently started working on a new song, called “Monster” by the Christian heavy-metal band Skillet.
“We truly appreciate the community for supporting us,” she said. “They send their kids to this school and those kids have pride in what they’re doing with the band and the community supports us with their taxes. We now have great percussion drums thanks to the community.”
Middleton said she is thankful the school board approved the band raising funds for and eventually going on this trip.
“This kind of activity really gives kids something to work for and look forward to,” she said. “They’ll have this trip with them for the rest of their lives in their memories and the skills they learn from it.”
