W.T. Clarke students raise money through music

Posted

Musicians at W.T. Clarke Middle School raised money for local charities by practicing their music each day. As part of Music in Our Schools Month, held in March by the National Association for Music Education, students hosted a Practice-A-Thon.

Sponsors pledged an amount of their choice for each minute the students practiced, and all proceeds were donated.

The Practice-A-Thon is a wonderful way to strengthen students’ practice habits while encouraging empathy and charity,” said W.T. Clarke Chairperson of Music Kelly Gelfer. “And it’s a wonderful opportunity for them to make a personal contribution that makes a difference in their community. As Helen Keller said, ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’”

In addition to daily practice, W.T. Clarke music students have also been sharing their music throughout the hallways and the school with weekly performances, tutoring sessions and rehearsals. Through their efforts, they achieved the following:

• W.T. Clarke Middle School ensembles raised $815.75 through the 2018 Practice-A-Thon. Ensembles tallied a total of 72,000 minutes of practice time.

• Matthew Hauser, a member of Clarke’s sixth-grade band, was the top individual fundraiser among students with $106.75.

• Katherene Qi, a member of the eighth-grade orchestra, completed the most minutes of practice time during the drive with 3,242.

Funds raised have been earmarked for Clarke’s Change for Change Club. Students will select a charity of their choice for the donation in the near future.

¬–Brian Stieglitz