Oak Glen Middle band hitting the high notes thanks to grant program
Save the Music Foundation providing band with new instruments
SUPPORTING THE MUSIC — Officials at Oak Glen Middle School are pictured with members of the school’s band, and special guests, Monday morning after the announcement the school has received a grant from the Save the Music Foundation. -- Craig Howell
HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES – The Oak Glen Middle band performs during Monday morning’s assembly. -- Craig Howell
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT – Chiho Feindler, chief program officer of the Save the Music Foundation, at right, was among those on hand Monday to announce Oak Glen Middle has received a grant from the foundation in support of the school’s band. She was joined by Randall Reid-Smith, at left, curator of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History. -- Craig Howell
SUPPORTING THE MUSIC — Officials at Oak Glen Middle School are pictured with members of the school’s band, and special guests, Monday morning after the announcement the school has received a grant from the Save the Music Foundation. -- Craig Howell
HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES – The Oak Glen Middle band performs during Monday morning’s assembly. -- Craig Howell
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT – Chiho Feindler, chief program officer of the Save the Music Foundation, at right, was among those on hand Monday to announce Oak Glen Middle has received a grant from the foundation in support of the school’s band. She was joined by Randall Reid-Smith, at left, curator of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History. -- Craig Howell
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NEW MANCHESTER - The band program at Oak Glen Middle School is amplifying its sound through support from the Save the Music Foundation.
Representatives from the Save the Music Foundation, the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, and other guests were on hand at the school Monday morning to announce the $40,000 grant, which will be used to outfit the middle school band with 38 new instruments.
"It's a great program," explained Randall Reid-Smith, curator of the state Department of Arts, Culture and History. "We've been partners with them for 14 years."
As part of the grant, which was made possible with assistance from Nucor Steel West Virginia, Oak Glen Middle will receive eight flutes, 11 clarinets, six trumpets, four trombones and three alto saxophones, as well as various percussion instruments, according to Reid-Smith.
Oak Glen Middle School was the 156th school in West Virginia to receive a Save the Music Foundation grant.
Save the Music was founded in the late 1990s after an executive from MTV spent a day as a guest principal at a school in Brooklyn, NY, and learned the music program was at risk. It became a national non-profit organization in 1998 and now has programs established in 42 states as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
Chiho Feindler, chief program officer of the Save the Music Foundation, noted the foundation has awarded grants in each of West Virginia's 55 counties. Monday's presentation was the second to be made in Hancock County.
"West Virginia is the only state where we have a statewide initiative," Feindler said, explaining the foundation has recognized the lack of support and availability for music programs at schools in much of the state.
Save the Music first came to West Virginia in 2009, reaching at least one school in each county by 2016. Now, the foundation plans to provide a grant for each of the state's middle schools by 2025.
Feindler expressed appreciation to the state and local school officials for their partnerships with Save the Music, and especially to the music teachers throughout the state for their work to provide continued opportunities for their students.
"They're the true heroes," she said.
Oak Glen Middle Principal Derek VanDyke applauded the efforts of the school's band director, Kim Smith.
"She does an amazing job with our band," VanDyke said.
State Sen. Laura Wakim-Chapman, R-Ohio, was among those on hand, noting the difference an education in music and other artistic fields can make, and encouraged the students to enjoy their opportunities learning.
"The arts are so important," she said.
Reid-Smith also offered thanks to Del. Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, who he said was supportive of the school receiving the grant. McGeehan was unable to attend Monday's presentation because of a work commitment.