Cleveland High bands’ Play-A-Thon raises $39,000

Published 12:00 am Sunday, October 27, 2024

By DAVID F. ASHTON
For THE BEE

At the “Play-a-Thon” fundraiser, Cleveland High School Director of Bands Gary Riler conducted the performances that evening.

Members of the Cleveland High School (CHS) bands stayed after school on Friday, September 27, to play on into the evening – at their annual “Play-a-Thon” fundraiser in the school’s auditorium.

Most of the Cleveland High bands played under the leadership of CHS Director of Bands Gary Riler. But while many of the students took a supper break, several student musicians engaged in a free-form “Jazz Jam Session” for the live audience – and those who were watching and listening to the live-stream of the six hours online.

“Our ‘Play-a-Thon’ this year was another awesome event in which we were able to build community among the students and the parents – and also raise funds for our band program!” Riler told THE BEE. “We raised more than $39,000 this year – that’s the most we’ve ever raised, since we started the Play-A-Thon in 2015.”

The funds raised will be partly used for purchasing sheet music. “One ‘title’ costs nearly $100; $350 for a set of advanced music,” Riler pointed out. That’s because composers’ performance royalties figure into the cost.

The money raised will also go toward:

  • Entrance fees for competitions
  • Travel costs for band performances
  • Pep Band T-Shirts and hats for incoming freshman
  • Coaches
  • Visiting clinicians
  • Student Registration Fees for All-State & Western International Band Clinic
  • Students’ assistance funds for summer camps, spring trips, concert attire, and accompanists

“The typical ‘band fee’ for a high school band is at least $100,” Riler said. “Our parent booster group, Friends of Cleveland Bands, feel strongly that we don’t want to limit any student’s ability to participate due to financial hardship – so, instead, we ask our community to help to support the program.

“One more thing: Speaking of our ‘band parents’ – we’re so grateful for the generous community support of our program in so many ways – including those who provided great hot dinners for our kids during this year’s Play-A-Thon!” concluded Riler.

To learn more about the Cleveland High School Band program, visit the official Boosters’ website – https://www.clevelandbandspdx.com

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