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Armstrong choir has to turn down Carnegie Hall invite, still trying to raise funds for other trip
01/23/2013 7:07 AM by John M
Style has the details and how you can help:
While the students have missed the opportunity to be a featured choir, they’re still trying to raise the $20,000 necessary to send a group to participate in the larger festival.
The choir members have been doing everything they can to raise funds. They play host to spirit nights, sell concessions during school basketball games and perform at local churches. They also accept donations online through the Richmond Public Schools Foundation at rps-foundation.org.
I knew the student quoted at the beginning of the Style piece, Bianca, when she was in middle school. She was one of the good, positive kids. The choir’s director, Will Griffin, also spent a year at MLK Middle School, and his dedication and ability to take the students to a totally new level were obvious.
All of that is to say that if you can help them out, please do so. You would be helping the good ones to keep doing what needs to be done.
Thanks so much John for helping us stay aware of important community issues and needs like this one.
$20,000. And how much money did the City give Center Stage last year?
http://www.oregonhill.net/2012/07/04/deal-of-a-lifetime-landmark-theater-gets-center-staged/
This is a great cause and we’re going to donate again this year. I highly encourage others to do the same. Any amount you can spare is highly appreciated by these kids. If everyone who reads this blog regularly chipped in $100, these kids would be on their way to NYC.
I think it might be a good idea for the choir to be a little more proactive about letting folks know when they need help in the future. If anyone from Armstrong is reading, what about an ‘Adopt a Singer’ program where folks could cover the cost of a choir member to attend these things? It might also be good to plan out a few years in advance to help start fund raising earlier.
Rather than asking the city (i.e. other people) to do something, why not do something ourselves?
I agree with Alex: I wish word had gotten out before it was too late for the kids to compete. I’ll gladly make a donation for them to make the trip, and most definitely would have donated to help them compete.
@Alex and Lora. It was difficult to get the word out because of demands set about not reaching out. If anyone is interested in joining the Booster Club, they would gladly accept dedicated member. Right now, it’s just a few parents and a couple of volunteers. The teacher is limited in what he can say and do. The group is called the “Orange and Blue Harmonizers.” Their e-mail address is: oandbh@gmail.com.
To donate online (tax-deductible):
https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1002848
All amounts are appreciated. Please like: “Armstrong Choir Page” on Facebook if you have it.
What led to the Carnegie Hall Invitation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fw5U7BcWGU
Quite the experience for students from our community.
What they will experience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvyzdwMYqyg
More about World Strides Heritage Program:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xviAnOFF7Qc
I called the principal about this after seeing Syle and told her if Church Hill neighborhood had been made aware of this trip, the residents would have a found a way to help make this happen. This was a definitely a missed positive opportunity for the students. Would hate to see this happen again because of poor judgement of the school staff.