Music Matters

News and Events

"Jazz in January" download poster

Saturday January 14, 2012
Holiday Inn and Conference Center

Dinner and Dance FundraiserJazz in January

  • Silent Auction (view some items)
  • Dinner and Dance Tickets available
  • Gourmet Meal by Holiday Inn Conf. Center Chefs
  • Performance by the WHS Jazz Band and more
  • Performance by the Mill Pond Jazz Combo
  • Dance Only Tickets availbable at the door
  • Food and beverages available for purchase
  • Fun event for the whole family
  • Prize Drawings

Tickets
Dinner & Dance—$25/Ticket (must be purchased by January 10th)
Dance Only—$10/person, $25 per family (available at the door)
Prize Drawings—Tickets $1.00
Get your tickets today @ LuLu Beans, Whitney Music, Sound Image


Cans for Kids kickoff at Cullens. Richard Falk for the idea and keeping the ideas flowing. 

Those responsible for making this happen.

  • Gregg Hanson, Hanson Silo Co, for getting the trailer made and donating it.
  • Jeff Bleess at Tire’s Plus for donating new wheels for the trailer.   
  • Rick Dahle for allowing us to park it at his location
  • Sara Bos for sign design
  • Pat’s Graphics for making and mounting the signs
  • Cyrilla Beach Homes for donating the steps to Cans for Kids
  • The project was organized by the Willmar Music Matters group.






Instrument Donation Drive

A Band and orchestra instrument donation drive is being band instrumentsconducted from Monday, November 29 to Friday, December 3.  Instruments can be dropped off at the Willmar Middle School or the Willmar Senior High during school hours.  Donors will be provided with a receipt.  While donations are accepted throughout the year, this drive encourages people to consider giving the “gift of music” during the winter holidays and as they are getting out seasonal decorations. 

Many of you have instruments in your closets or attics from days of your youth or your children’s school years. If these instruments have a high likelihood of non-use for years to come, your donation would be greatly appreciated. 

Willmar Public Schools has an excellent music program.   Unfortunately, there are students who do not participate because they cannot afford the cost of an instrument and/or the accessories required.  

Your donation will make it possible for more children and youth to participate in instrumental music programs in our schools.  

If you find this to be an acceptable endeavor, and you have the time and resources, feel free to let others know of the drive.

Music Matters is a community group that supports quality music education and experience for youth in Willmar Public Schools.

Make a donationVolunteer

What We Do:

  • Advocate for sustainable, consistent and adequate public funding of music and arts education at the local, state and national levels
  • Increase public awareness of Willmar Public Schools K-12 music program
  • Provide supplemental funding to assure continuous high quality music education is available to all students of Willmar Public Schools

Concerns:

  • Our Willmar School District has faced many extremely difficult financial decisions and some of those have now significantly affected our music program.
  • Cuts to the music program began during the 2008-2009 school year. Since that time, lesson times have been reduced, the 5th grade band program was cut and the 4th and 5th grade orchestra program was cut from the school budget.

Music Matters is raising funds to reinstate music programs:

  • Music matters gave a grant to Willmar Schools in 2008-2009 in the amount of $18,500 to reinstate AP music theory in the high school and maintain the level of music lessons at all levels.

  • Music matters awarded a grant to Willmar Schools in 2010-2011 in the amount of $28,500 to reinstate the 4th and 5th grade orchestra which had been cut from the school budget.

  • Music matters is awarding another grant for the 2011-2012 school year to again fund the 4th and 5th grade orchestra program in the amount of $28,500.

How Can You Help?

  • Please consider making a donation to help provide supplemental funding to assure high quality music education in the Willmar Public Schools.
  • Click on MAKE A DONATION for instructions to make your contribution..
  • The Music Matters fund is managed through the Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) and grant requests will be made directly to the Willmar Public School District for music program funding. All donations are tax deductible and donors will be provided with a receipt from SWIF.
  • Support Willmar Public Schools levy referendums
  • Contact our legislators and governor.
  • Representative Bruce Vogel bruce.vogel@house.mn
  • Senator Joe Gimse Sen.joe.gimse@senate.mn
  • Governor Dayton www.governor.state.mn.us

Thanks for supporting Willmar Public Schools!

Kudos to Our Fund-raising Partners

Willmar Music Matters has partnered with individuals and businesses over the past year. A special thanks to:

  • Walt’s Car Wash for offering a free carwash with donations and pledges going to Music Matters. A total of $20,500 was raised at this event. 954 cars were washed!
  • Mills Ford for their partnership with the Music Department on their Test Drive event on October 9. Music Matters raised money through the sale of concessions at this event. Kudos to all who took a test drive and made this event a success.
  • Andrew Wilkowske for donating his talent and time providing the community with his outstanding concert last fall
  • Cyrilla Beach Homes for donating the steps to Cans for Kids

 

 
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