Manheim Merchandiser April 19, 2006 Marching Band Receives Grant Funds from Nonprofit Organization will Purchase New Instruments By James Senft, Manheim Merchandiser Manheim, PA Musicians at Manheim Central Senior High School will be able to toot some new horns soon, thanks to a grant from the nonprofit organization Music for Everyone. The school's marching band received a check for $2,400 on April 6 after one of its members, 10th-grader Kristin Stauffer, made an appeal to Music for Everyone, which was founded last fall. Stauffer learned about the organization, which works to promote music in schools and the community, through a newspaper article and said she knew her band could use some financial help. "I saw it as an opportunity," she explained. "I've known since I got started (with band) in my eighth-grade year that we really need instruments in all sections," she said. She sent an e-mail to the organization in October. "I didn't think anything would happen," she said. "Then he e-mailed me a grant application," referring to John Gerdy, president of Music for Everyone. With the help of Terri Donnelly, an assistant director for the marching band and an employee at a local bank, Stauffer filled out the application and returned it to Gerdy, requesting funds for something that she said the band desperately needed - marching baritones. The funds provided by Music for Everyone will allow the band to purchase two new baritones, she said. "I think it's a fantastic opportunity for Manheim Central," Donnelly said. Gerdy said that the grant was one of seven handed out by Music for Everyone. "The seven grants total in excess of $11,000," he said. Other grants were given to music programs at McCaskey High School and two School District of Lancaster elementary schools, a day care center, a park association, and an African dance company based in Lancaster. Gerdy said that Music for Everyone was founded by a group of private citizens concerned with the lack of support music programs have been getting in schools. "Everywhere you look you see more and more cuts in spending for schools' music and arts programs," he said. "At the same time, research indicates that exposure to music and arts is important for a well-rounded education," Gerdy noted. He said that it has been shown that reading, math, and logic skills, among others, improve among students who have been exposed to music. Though he is a musician in a couple of bands and plays several instruments, Gerdy is not a music teacher nor is he involved in any school music programs. He said that he wants people to realize how important music can be in a person's life. "There is a power in music to bring people together," he said. Gerdy said that he was impressed with the initiative shown by Stauffer in obtaining the grant and noted that she was the only student who e-mailed him to ask about Music for Everyone. James Metzger, director of bands at Manheim Central, said he is grateful to have a student like Stauffer. He said her work on the grant shows her level of interest in and dedication to the band. He noted that Stauffer is an accomplished musician and, as a 10th-grader, was chosen as the top trombone player in the state through the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association band festival program. Stauffer said that she was surprised when she found out her band would receive funding because of her application. "I was really excited," she said. She said she is happy to know the band will receive the baritones before the end of the school year and will be able to start using them immediately thereafter. The baritones that the band members have been using have been used heavily over a period of many years, Metzger said. The new instruments will be a welcome addition to the band, he said. Stauffer added that she will see that they are well taken care of. "They'll be treated like..." Metzger said looking for the right word to complete the sentence. "Gold," Stauffer chimed in. ### Help cultivate the power of music. Click on the Donate button to make a contribution via our PayPal account (new browser window will open). Send your tax deductible contribution to: Music for Everyone 321 East Fulton Street Lancaster, PA 17602 717-871-1710 john@musicforeveryone.net