The efforts of a group of Darien High School parents have paid off for the school's band. After starting a campaign in the fall to pay for new musical instruments, the school received a total of $83,064.
"Donations came in from individuals in the community, local businesses and local organizations," said Richard Sadlon, director of music for all Darien schools. "We received more than 135 donations ranging from $5 to $20,000."
The donations came in thanks to the work spearheaded by parents Irene Trautmann, Chrissie Osborn, Bernadette Kominek, Shelly Washer and Ginny Losito. They approached the Board of Education in September to get permission to independently raise the money for the instruments, rather than relying on the school's funds.
The parents sent a townwide mailing in November, asking for donations. The money that came in went toward purchasing 46 new instruments, including marching drums, electric violins, electric cellos, horns, saxophones and basses.
"They've set us up for generations of students coming forward," Sadlon said. He said the band normally leases instruments every five years or so, but those funds supply instruments for the orchestra and middle school band as well. The need was great because many of the band's old instruments had been in service for 20 to 30 years.
"The fundraiser benefited not only the high school band, but in an indirect way the band students at the middle school and the orchestra students at the high school. Everybody's seeing the benefit of this."
Sadlon said the donations proved the value that Darien parents put on musical education. "I see these not just as instruments, but as opportunities for students to participate in the music-making process."
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