Helper Middle School has a good band program but it could be bigger. The reason it’s not growing is, according to Principal Mika Salas, “We have a number of students who want to be in band, but cannot afford to rent or buy instruments.”
At a Carbon County School District Board Meeting late last year, board members challenged the school community councils to look for items their schools may need so that they could help to secure those things. At the February meeting, the Helper Middle School council noted the need for the band instruments should be addressed.
Awarded $500
The board awarded the school $500, the limit they had set on spending.
However, anyone who has priced woodwind and brass instruments knows that they are costly and that $500 would not go very far toward the purchases needed.
Along with Superintendent Steve Carlsen, Salas and the community council are now asking residents who might have working instruments that have stored away and are not being used, to donate them to the school district. Salas said what they need the most are flutes, clarinets, trumpets and saxophones.
Use $500 for repairs
“We understand that the instruments may not be in the best shape,” said Salas. “However what we are going to do is use the $500 that the board gave the council and make every effort to utilize local music professionals to repair them.”
Those with possible donations are asked to contact the school district at 435-637-1732 so that any instruments contributed can be utilized in the most efficient manner possible across the district.