The Gold Trail School District’s Education Committee gave its support to a grant proposal that could purchase more musical instruments for the local music program.
Teacher Mike Wisla attended the Nov. 6 meeting in Ashcroft to ask for support. He is applying for a $10,000 “Band Aid Grant” from the Musicounts program ofthe Canadian Association of Recording Arts and Sciences.
“I didn’t name the grant,” he laughed.
If successful, the grant money would buy instruments to keep the program going in the schools. He said the music program was currently renting the instruments, althoug last year they were able to purchase a full drum set.
Wisla said the $10,000 would be enough to buy the small instruments such as flutes and clarinets.
Ashcroft Secondary Band was started in the fall of 2011. There had been no band program at Ashcroft Secondary School since the 1990’s. Ashcroft Secondary Guitar program has the same history. At present there are 22 students in Band, from grades 8 through 12. There are also 18 students in guitar class, grades 9-12. That represents nearly 30 per cent of the student population.
“It’s growing,” he said. “Doing really well.”
Wisla noted that the music program has been active in Ashcroft and Cache Creek, providing musicians for Remembrance Day, Breakfast With Santa, a concert at the Extended Care Home and the high school graduation.
The trustees present at the committee meeting were quite pleased that the music program was thriving.