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Jon Grauer, band director at Darien High School, knows how important it is for students to have good quality musical instruments. But some of the instruments at DHS are no longer in good shape, and it's time for new ones, he said.
"If we want to build a high quality band, we need instruments that can cater to that," said Grauer.
On Tuesday night, Richard Sadlon, director of music for Darien schools, outlined a plan for the Board of Education that would involve raising money to buy new instruments.
"When you purchase instruments, they last several generations of students. The ones we have have lasted 30 years," said Sadlon. "They've reached the end of their life."
Sadlon said a group of parents have taken the initiative and want to raise money to purchase new instruments for the high school. The new instruments, which would include timpani, two tubas, three euphoniums, a concert bass drum and a bass trombone, are expected to cost $44,000 to $50,000.
"Parents have seen this need, and are willing to do the work," said Sadlon.
The district purchases instruments on a five-year lease-to-own plan, but Sadlon says that plan includes all the band and string instruments for Middlesex Middle School as well as the orchestra program at Darien High School. This new fundraising campaign would target larger instruments, specifically for the Darien High School Band.
"We are expecting an increase in enrollment at the high school level in the band," Sadlon said. "There are currently over 100 students in the eighth-grade band."
He said the fundraising campaign would begin with parents sending letters seeking donations. They are expected to reach out to other parents as well as alumni. The new instruments would last 15 to 20 years.
Grauer said new instruments would improve the band program. "We want the kids to have pride in the band," he said.
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