MCHS band benefits from donations

Editor:

James Madison had to be one of our smartest presidents. After all, he chose to live in the same beautiful surroundings we love today. To sustain the beauty, Madison County has not surrendered to the quick appeal of rapid growth. We’re pretty smart too.

However, with that peaceful setting, we face some problems that we must work to overcome. We are not a wealthy community with a constantly flowing revenue stream that we can tap to address needs. Our school board does the best it can to set priorities and disburse its limited resources.

Though considered important, our high school band cannot be as high a priority as academic programs. As a result, many of the bands needs must be satisfied through fund-raising.

Let us look for a minute at our band. The marching and concert bands, only 14 percent of the high school student body, comprise 80 percent of the high school honor roll. These same students excel in musical competitions among much larger high school bands.

The marching band, now under the direction of Mike Allen, William Harner and Cindy Dailey, has earned the top score of “superior” four out of the last six years. The symphonic band has earned the same distinction for five out of the last six years. How proud all of us are of these students from our rural community who compete successfully with the best; proud enough that we in turn do our best for them.

The support of local businesses, organizations and individuals is critical to the richness that is our band. Madison County has been so generous in the past, for which we are most grateful. We turn to you once again this year for your support so that we can sustain the caliber band that has made our beautiful and rural Madison County so proud. We thank you.

Please make your donations payable to MCHS Band Boosters and mail to Madison County High School Band, Attn: Mike Allen, Band Director, P.O. BOX 921, Madison, VA 22727.

Brenda Aylor
Madison County