“Music for Your Schools” Giveaway

In recognition of decreasing school music budgets, music publisher Carl Fischer has continued its “Music for Your Schools” Giveaway and announced its slate of 2012 winners.

“To some extent, we’ve seen a freeze in our school budget for four years, and it’s been handled very carefully because our administrators are very supportive of the music program,” says Steve Edwards, band director at Falmouth (Mass.) High School. “We’ve been recycling music. I like to keep things new and relevant, but it’s been difficult to purchase or have a piece commissioned when you don’t have the money to do so.”

As one of the winners, Falmouth received a free year’s worth (eight band sets, levels 4 to 5) of music. Band students were encouraged to send photos, videos and essays to show why their band deserved to win.

“I received an email in regards to the sweepstakes, and I immediately posted it on our message board and asked kids to participate,” Edwards says. “There was a lot of enthusiasm; they were very pleased to win. They’ve participate in other competitions with me.”

Falmouth’s instrumental music programs serve 118 students in symphonic band, wind ensemble, jazz combos, chamber strings ensemble, marching band and color guard. They compete in the New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA).

Other winners were the Chopticon High School Orchestra in Morganza, Md.; the Palm Springs (Calif.) High School Orchestral Strings Program; Susan E. Wiley Elementary School Band in Copiague, N.Y.; and the American School of Antananarivo Band in Madagascar.

Visit www.carlfischer.com for more information about the 2013 giveaway.

About author

Elizabeth Geli

Elizabeth Geli is the assistant editor of Halftime Magazine and a journalist/communications professional in Southern California. Her 11 years at the University of Southern California (USC) Trojan Marching Band included time as a flute player, graduate teaching assistant, and student advocate. She holds a bachelor's degree in Print Journalism and master's degree in Specialized Journalism (The Arts) from USC.

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