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Dear Supporters of El Cerrito High School Bands,
Students of the award-winning El Cerrito High School Band Program need your support in raising $15,000 to restart the Instrumental Coaching Program at ECHS in January 2023. Each year our program is able to raise the necessary funds to provide many enrichment opportunities for our students through concerts and large fundraising events that include our annual Play-a-thon and the El Cerrito Jazz Festival.
Sponsored by the Friends of El Cerrito Music, the Instrumental Coaching Program at ECHS is aimed at providing students specialized instruction, twice a month, with professional musicians to focus on instrument-specific pedagogy that is integrated with curriculum in the band classes. The program also provides opportunities for students that do not have the resources for private lessons outside of class. Thankfully, our master teachers have continued working with our students through Distance Learning and is a highlight of the week for many students.
Here is what students are saying about the Instrumental Coaching Program at ECHS…
“Janis is an amazing coach and it’s so fun to hear about her experiences in orchestras and bands!”
“The bassoon students at ECHS are very lucky to have such a kind and skilled coach helping their development as musicians.”
“[Our coach] always came in good spirits, and was ready to help us with any problems or questions we had. His teaching style was interactive and creative in that he applied certain concepts/ideas to repertoire.”
“The coaching program in band helped me learn new skills and concepts in an environment with other students. Our clarinet coach was a knowledgeable clarinet teacher who taught in a way we could clearly understand. I remember working on a piece I found difficult, and Nora told me to draw a line for each mistake and a circle for every successful attempt, until I had 5 circles in a row. Straightforward teaching and simple coaching strategies like this helped us thoroughly learn techniques and repertoire, and accelerated our study of music.”
We hope that you’ll consider making a donation to continue this great program through the COVID-19 closures. If you are able, we ask that you make a donation at the following levels (or any amount):
- Donor Level: $50
- Friend Level: $100
- Patron: $250 and above
Online donations are preferred, but if you’d rather mail a check please print this letter and mail with your check (made out to Friends of El Cerrito Music) to:
Friends of El Cerrito Music
Attn: Julie Brown
1432 Kearney Street
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Thank you for supporting our young musicians!