Concert Band Instruments – $17,017

Curricular Area: Arts
Grant Focus: Band Instruments
Schools: Columbia High School
Items Purchased: Chimes, Tuba, Euphonium, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax

CHS's Band Program has seen great success and growth over the last 5 years. It has grown from 40 students in 2013 to a projected 70 for 2020. As the ensemble grows, the need for essential instruments has also become more apparent. This grant pays for a collection of instruments (Chimes, Tuba, Euphonium, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax) that will enhance the sound and maintain proper balance within the Concert Band ensemble. These particular instruments are prohibitively expensive for many students to rent (~$40-50 a month).

From the applicant:

These instruments were requested because they are essential for any successful program. Unfortunately, the cost of even one of them would paralyze the program’s budget and not allow for the purchase music to actually perform for concerts. Some of them couldn’t even be covered by the entire budget of the Music Program. I’ve prioritized purchasing music and repairing instruments I know will actually benefit from repairs, but there are some instruments that are beyond fixing and simply hemorrhaging money if I send them in for repairs. Through this project, those instruments would be replaced entirely or allow more students to fill roles that are needed for the program to grow correctly. It would be poor form to have an ensemble of 70 and only have one tuba and one euphonium covering the low end.