Published: February 06, 2009 09:18 am      

Everett High band prepares for Lincoln Center concert

Students must raise thousands of dollars

EVERETT, Pa. — Everett High School’s Senior High Band has been invited to perform at the Lincoln Center in New York City on March 10, offering an opportunity and privilege for high school students to perform on a prestigious stage.

The 125-member concert band is under the direction of Daniel Atwood.

According to Atwood, Everett’s students will take the stage at Avery Fisher Hall for the program titled, “America's Youth in Concert: Reflecting the Musical Achievements of America’s School Conductors and Youth.”

In addition to the performance, students will tour Ellis Island, visit the Statue of Liberty and attend a Broadway show. For many teens it will be a first visit to New York City.

“The staff at Perform America noticed Everett High School’s name on the National Memorial Day Parade schedule from 2007,” said Atwood. Upon investigating Everett’s program, an invitation was extended in late December for the Lincoln Center performance. Once the trip was approved by the school board in January, the Band Parents Association began making plans to raise the remaining $34,000 of the anticipated $54,000 cost. The estimated cost per student is $400 plus additional chaperone expenses.

“This is the chance of a lifetime,” said Lori Knepp, president of the Band Parents Association, also admitting the task is huge because of the short time frame from the approval to the performance.

In the past five years, the enrollment in Everett’s Senior High band has grown by 200 percent. With the increase in the number of students also comes an increased expense for instruments, supplies and uniforms. The band parents invested more than $15,000 by purchasing additional uniforms for the growing enrollment anticipated for the current school year.

“The band parents organization has committed to raising at least 75 percent of the costs for the trip in the hopes that no student will need to miss out because of finances,” said Knepp. At least 16 families currently have two or more children in Senior High Band, adding increased financial demands on many families.

“It will take the efforts of the whole community to make this a reality, and we are grateful for any support that is offered,” she said. As a gesture to demonstrate their support for the students, Bollman’s Charter has already discounted their rates for the band. “We encourage others to join in the efforts,” said Knepp.

Many local businesses have recently received letters inviting sponsorship of the band. Individuals desiring to financially support the students may also contact Atwood at Everett Area High School, One Renaissance Circle, Everett, PA 15537, by phone at (814) 652-9114, Ext. 1312, or e-mail datwood@everett.k12.pa.us.

A kickoff benefit concert by the Highlights and other local bands is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 21 at the high school.