Tahlia Scherer, Blogs Editor
@tscherercourant
In addition to developing students’ singing abilities, the choir program provides experiences that impact students far beyond their winter and spring concert performances. To support those experiences, the music program is amping up this year’s fundraising efforts with its new restaurant campaign, “Dine Out to Donate”. “This is the first time we’ve done a restaurant fundraiser,” Sarah Gleason said. “The choir is the only part of the Music Department that has done a yearly fundraiser, and this was the only way we were able to raise funds.”
This year, the department is working with local restaurants such as Chipotle, Tequila Cantina, and Gates. The money raised is used to defray the cost of multiple department trips throughout the year. “This is a new strategy we’re doing that involves everybody because anyone can go eat at these restaurants, and they’re giving part of the proceeds to help some of our students,” Ms. Gleason said.
Senior Julia Dunn is the fundraising chair, which means she helps to organize and coordinate the various fundraisers occurring this year .“The fundraiser is really important because it is going to allow us the opportunity to go perform in other places and spread our music,” Julia said. “We’re going to Disney in March and we’re performing with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall in November. Doing these fundraisers are really important because they allow us to explore new places and share what we’ve created.”
These performances outside of New Canaan are crucial to improving the department’s success at home. “We get the chance to hear other ensembles perform and we are adjudicated against them in a competition manner, but we also get feedback from collegiate conductors – they actually come on stage to work with the students,” Ms. Gleason said.
The money raised through the department fundraiser is imperative to the program, as it affords everyone an opportunity to participate. “It’s really important that we are all able to participate,” Julia Dunn said. “Money just shouldn’t be an issue or a hindering factor in allowing everybody to go.”
Parent volunteer, Kathryn McManus, who plays a beneficial role in the operational side of the fundraisers says, “It’s a way for New Canaan to create that bridge and engage the community in supporting the department.”
Ms. Gleason calls on all students and their families to participate in the fundraiser, “Eat out!” she said. “Skip cooking for one night and convince your family to come support a restaurant and the music department!”
