About D200 Music Boosters

D200 Music Boosters help the bands and orchestras play on

By Janet Dovidio

news@thewoodstockindependent.com 

D200 Music Boosters have provided invaluable support and assistance to the district’s music programs for many years. 

“I have been in the district 27 years and have seen the Music Boosters help in so many ways,” said Debra Schweihs, band director for D200’s elementary schools. “When I was hired, there was only a cassette player given to me. The boosters helped me purchase bass drums and all the percussion accessory equipment over the course of many years. There are so many things that the middle and high schools have purchased through the boosters.”

Growing the programs

The group’s many fundraising efforts not only support equipment purchases, but also provide scholarships for music camps and private lessons during the summer. 

“Some families struggle to make the rental payments for their students’ instruments, so we help them support their students’ musical education,” boosters president Ranelle Blue said. “The schools have some loaners, so we try to purchase instruments for loaner use.”

Blue listed additional uses for the boosters’ money: guest conductors, music competitions, high school music trips, music stands, sheet music, and the repair of donated instruments.

“The D200 Music Boosters have really helped since the start of the orchestra program 14 years ago,” said Lyndra Bastian, director of Woodstock High School’s orchestra. “I am grateful to the parents who so generously donate their time and energy to help ensure our students and programs have these resources.”

Parent participation

In addition to officers and committee chairpersons, the D200 Music Boosters have a parent representative from each school who provides support for his or her school’s fundraisers and music program needs by working with the school’s music teacher.

Blue reported that the group provided scholarships for 50 middle and high school students last year alone. Funds from sales of the annual Booster Discount Card allow students the opportunity to attend music camps and lessons and to continue with confidence and leadership at their schools.

Musicians of the Month

Each month, music teachers select Musicians of the Month who are recognized in The Woodstock Independent. 

“As the teacher representative to this group, I see and feel their passion and I appreciate their efforts immensely,” Schweihs said. 

“Our teachers are the best,” Blue concluded. “They have so many great ideas and things they want to do for their students. We are here to help them in any way we can.