Frankenmuth

15 EFR Students share check donated by Popcorn Wagon Written by Eric Clauder, Frankenmuth School District Director of Bands A recent donation to the E.F. Rittmueller Middle School Band sparked conversation of how parents, community members, and local businesses make such an amazing difference for our students in the EFR music program. We are fortunate to have a strong band program, and the Frankenmuth School District is committed to supporting music education. Our parents support their children by paying for instruments, music books, and supplies. They transport their children to music events and support the band fundraiser, which last year was used to purchase chairs and music stands for the EFR Band Room. Our community supports us in so many ways. Kroger donates through their Community Rewards Program. A local business, choosing to remain anonymous, donated $1000 to the music program in October. Most recently, the Popcorn Wagon – Frankenmuth made an $800 donation after they ran a month long in-store fundraiser asking customers to "Round-Up" for the EFR Band Program. Through rounding up change, over $400 was donated. The Popcorn Wagon personally donated the remaining funds from the sale of their Popcorn Wagon Brand supplies. The "Round-up" Program brought many interesting comments and positive responses from their customers, along with extra donations from many customers that fondly remembered their music class experiences. These donations are earmarked for a new (or "newer used") tuba or xylophone. Instruments like the tuba, the xylophone, and the bassoon offer students a chance to hear a fuller sound, experience or use diverse instruments, and perform more expansive and challenging music. Thank you for your support! Music It Takes a Community to Make

• Cover