The band that so many enjoy is in need of the community’s financial support.

By Mary O’KEEFE

Crescenta Valley has many things to be proud of including beautiful mountains, a strong volunteer spirit and award-winning schools. One point of pride that is shared by those who have kids in school and those who do not is the CV High School band.

CV Instrumental Music Dept., under the leadership of director Mathew Schick, has won numerous awards and inspires audiences not only when the band marches onto the field during the school’s football games but also when they travel for competitions.

Many of the members of the marching band cross over to other parts of the instrumental music department performing in the orchestra and the “world famous” jazz band. They not only share their talents through their music during concerts but also volunteer to play at many functions throughout their community. These include Prom Plus events, Relay for Life, Special Olympics and at the La Crescenta Woman’s Club.

Many people may not know that the band members – the students – and their families must pay for everything involved in being part of the music department, from instruments to transportation to competition fees. The CVIM Foundation has been established to fundraise to offset the financial burden to students.

One of the most expensive items that are paid by the students is uniforms. The members of this award-winning band are wearing 18-year-old uniforms.

“We have them professionally cleaned every year,” said Kimberly Sandoval, president of CVIM Foundation. 

CVIM uses Thompson Brothers Cleaners in Montrose. Sandoval said they do a great job but only so much can be done with uniforms that are almost two decades old. The CVIM Foundation pays the cleaning costs.

“The uniforms are falling apart. We have been blessed over the years with parents who sew and piece together uniforms,” Sandoval said.

The kids take precautions with their uniforms and have learned how to make repairs when issues occur; however, there are some things they can’t overcome.

“We were at one competition and a kid bent over and the uniform completely [split],” Sandoval said.

Uniforms cost a lot of money; the CVIM Foundation has a goal of raising $50,000 to $75,000 to pay for new uniforms.

“We started this big, huge initiative and have so far raised close to $25,000,” Sandoval said.

The policy in public schools has changed for students wanting to participate in certain programs. Previously an amount could be required from students to participate in school programs like band and sports; now outreach efforts must be made with donation amounts suggested.

CVIM Foundation does reach out to parents with suggested donation requests; however, the funds collected have to cover not only the costs of uniforms but all CVIM needs, like competition fees and instrument costs.

Sandoval said that many of the students have their own instruments, but if they need repair the Foundation raises money for that. Bus transportation to all competitions has to be paid, though the Glendale Unified School District pays for the band to travel to football games. CVIM Foundation also helps those who do not have their own instruments. The school district does offer a rental program for music instruments but there are still students in need.

The CVIM policy is that all are welcome to join the marching band.

“No child is turned away,” she said.

The Foundation supports the students who cannot donate to the program.  The Foundation pays for several other costs that occur during the year including extra music coaches for competition, shoes and socks that are required for the uniform and regular maintenance of instruments. Fundraising continues all year long with dining-out events and last year CVIM hosted a mattress fundraiser.

There are about 125 kids in the marching band in addition to color and winter guards.

The competitions are an important part of the band’s identity as well as a teaching opportunity. Involvement in competitions supports CVHS in maintaining its high-quality ranking.

To support this award-winning CVHS band, and to make certain members can march without fear of leaving pieces of their uniforms on the field, please mail donations to CVIM Foundation, P.O. Box 582, Verdugo City, CA 91046 or donate via PayPal at the website falconmusic.org.