Published: February 05, 2010 08:26 pm      

A boost for music

Logan boosters raising funds for new instruments

Prepared. Confident. Successful.

That’s how Dave Workman wants every music student to feel when they participate in various programs offered by Logansport schools.

“We want our kids not to ever be part of a program that isn’t of high, state championship quality. That’s our goal,” said Workman, president of Logansport Community School Corporation’s Music Boosters.

But to do that takes money. Lots of money.

“There’s a lot of expense in all the programs,” Workman said. The boosters provide funds for the drum line, the high school band and choirs, the color guard and the Berryettes. Funds also are provided to the middle schools.

In October, the group gave $1,000 to the color guard and $1,000 to the Berryettes. And during the most recent meeting, the boosters gave $1,450 to Logansport High School’s swing choir.

But these days, the group’s primary focus is on retooling the band program.

Zach Crowder, who has been high school band director since 2007, was in shock when he saw the condition of the instruments.

“But this happens in a lot of places. This happens after new schools open, and they buy instruments or they’re fortunate to buy instruments at another time,” he said.

Crowder said he’s been dreaming of new instruments and new lockers.

The last time new instruments were purchased for Logansport, “we were still using slide rulers in chemistry class,” Workman said.

The price tag?

“Right now, new instruments that aren’t top of the line will cost $81,877.20,” according to Workman, and that doesn’t include the cost of new percussion instruments.

“We raised enough money for the first payment of a five-year lease for the new percussion instruments and the school corporation has been gracious enough to agree to pay the balance over a four-year period.”

As for the $81,877.20 for the other instruments, the Music Boosters have received a matching grant from the McTaggart Trust. For every $1 raised by the boosters, the trust will pay $2 up to $54,877.

“If you take $81,877 and subtract $54,877, we need to raise $27,000 ... and that’s just for band instruments ... which we feel are very necessary to have a strong music program,” Workman said.

And a strong music program takes a strong group of Music Boosters, according to drum line instructor Tim Miller.

“Logansport had boosters for years, but it dwindled,” Miller said. “But over the past couple of years, the group decided to model itself after other local, successful organizations ... such as Lewis Cass and Pioneer.”

The current organization has three officers and a board of directors. Each of the directors is assigned a specific group to represent. This year’s officers are Dave Workman, president; Janet Sholty, treasurer; and Sadie Evans, secretary.

Serving on the board of directors are Miki and John Brown, drum line; Tammy Marchal, high school band; Tim Sholty, Mary Jane Hayden and Rosie Schafer, high school choir; Melissa Biggs, middle school choir; Ardele Hettinger, color guard; LeAnne Brugh, Berryettes; and Jodie Tully, middle school music.

Whenever somebody needs something, the representatives go before the board, which accepts or denies the request, Workman said.

In addition to the grant, Workman said they do different fundraisers throughout the year. In the fall, they host a homecoming meal and in the spring, they conduct a membership drive.

“And this is very cool,” Workman said. “Mike McCord (owner of the Do-It Center) is selling trash bags. And for every trashbag sold, the boosters receive a $4 donation.”

Berryette coach Gina Curl recalls taking over the dance troupe and having nothing to work with. She receives $500 from the school corporation in addition to her salary.

If it weren’t for the boosters, Curl said the Berryettes would have to rely totally on fundraisers such as The Princess Ball and car washes.

Examples of how the boosters have helped the Berryettes includes the purchase of extra uniforms because the group didn’t have enough. The boosters also provided funds for the middle school dancers that helped cut costs of last year’s fees for participating in competitions at regional and state.

“When I took over, we had nothing,” she said, but thanks to the boosters, that isn’t the case anymore.

“If there were no boosters, the music program would suffer tremendously,” according to its secretary, Sadie Evans. “They provide additional funding and additional resources for music program opportunities.”

Evans is a “firm believer that there are many ways to learn music, which is an important part of any curriculum. It’s a good way for kids to learn to be expressive.”

It’s also a good way for them to learn discipline and teamwork, Crowder said. And he said, “Music is the only subject taught in school that connects the left and right sides of the brain.”

Studies have proven that students who are involved in music programs have higher GPAs, are less likely to be involved in gangs and less likely to use drugs or drink alcohol, according to Workman.

“I think that’s money well spent,” he added.

“ ... we’ve produced some great musicians from this area,” Miller said. “And over the last 10 or 12 years, most of the Lilly finalists and winners have been involved in music programs. Probably three quarters of them were in band.”

Another perk from being involved in music is that people can continue after high school and college and well into their later years.

“I’m 52, and I still play as much as I ever have,” Miller said.

“There are many ways to continue being involved in music,” he said. “There are community bands, church and various other organizations.”



Help out the boosters

If you would like to become a member of the Logansport Community Schools Corp. Music Boosters or if you’d just like to make a donation, contact president Dave Workman at 722-9516.