Recycle, help SHS band get to Florida

(Photo submitted) Members of the Spencer High School band are planning to participate in a "Disney Magic Music Days" workshop in January 2009. Proceeds raised during an Oct. 18 paper drive will help defray transportation costs for the trip.

In order for students to get to Disney World and practice with professional Disney clinicians in a "Disney Magic Music Days" workshop, Spencer High School (SHS) Band Booster members are requesting your help.

Assistance in the form of recyclable materials is being sought. They may be donated from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Complete Recovery, 712 E. Milwaukee St., Spencer.

Trips such as this happen once every four years for SHS band students.

As it stands, each student participant will be expected to raise between $960 and $980 in order to attend. Next Saturday's fund-raising effort will help to offset transportation costs.

"We'll accept all kinds of paper grades, including newspapers, magazines, junk mail, telephone books, computer paper, even cardboard on that day," Randy Plagman said of the Oct. 18 paper drive. "It will all go toward raising money for the band,. Anything we take in that day -- even plastic, tin cans, steel, cardboard -- we'll apply to the band."

"It's all about volume," the Complete Recovery owner added. "...We have people who bring in plastic, steel and cardboard. They're lightweight compared to papers. But, it does all add up. ... And we will apply all that weight that comes in that day to what the band makes."

To further encourage people to donate materials, Plagman said, "This is where you can get rid of what most people call garbage. You can bring it here and do the right thing as far as saving the earth. It also helps the youth of our community."

The 121 SHS students expecting to make the trip, meanwhile, are scheduled to depart Spencer the afternoon of Dec. 31, and arrive in Orlando, Fla. the evening of Jan. 1, 2009. Besides participating in a workshop with Disney professionals, they'll visit theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort and attend a Cirque Di Soliel show during their stay. SHS band members are also planning to perform Jan. 3, 2009 in either the "Disney Dreams Come True" pre-parade at Magic Kingdom or during the evening's Disney "Spectro" parade. The group will return home early Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009.

The "You're Instrumental" clinic SHS band members are scheduled to participate in is designed to teach five key components: Sightreading, listening and responding, focusing, self-confidence and recording professionalism. Students will be allowed to experience the excitement and expectations a studio musician does in a back lot studio during the working clinic, as well as learn about the requirements of the studio recording environment.

"At the end, they'll record a track with a movie clip," said Kurt Schwarck, SHS band director. "These workshops are recognized by The National Association for Music Education for meeting certain specific standards, as established in the National Standards for Arts Education. The experience of travel itself is also an educational experience. The opportunity of travel teaches organization, time and money management. Through the interaction with other young people, our students learn how others live in other regions of the country and how their cultures are both alike and unlike our own."

Next Saturday's collection, which is being organized by the SHS Band Boosters, will allow participants to pull up to Complete Recovery and have students remove their recyclable donations from their vehicle. Additional fund-raisers being held include a homecoming tailgate dinner party on Friday, Oct. 10. This pulled-pork sandwich meal will be served at Dale Norton Field from 5:45 p.m. until kickoff.

* For more information on booster memberships, the sale of Tiger Pride signs, or upcoming gift wrapping and bake sale sessions, contact Schwarck at 262-1700 or Dawn Seeley, the SHS Band Booster president, at 262-6546.