On Saturday, the Drake University professional music fraternities Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Sigma Alpha Iota will host a fundraiser to benefit the Des Moines Public Schools music programs.
The fundraiser will be held in the Harmon Fine Arts Center and is in the form of a “practice-a-thon.” The students will find people to pledge a pre-determined amount of money for every hour they practice.
The money raised will be given to the Des Moines Public Schools music programs and will go toward various needs such as new instruments, instrument repairs, summer music camp scholarships and more.
The practice-a-thon will start on Saturday at 8 p.m. and last until 8 a.m. the next morning.
“It’s a fun way for all of the Drake music students from choir, band, orchestra and musical theater to do what they came to college to do: practice,” said sophomore Bryan Hummel, social chair of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Besides practicing, participants will enjoy free food, music, games, contests and concerts throughout the evening. The practice-a-thon is a lock-in event; once the participants enter FAC, they must stay for the entire night.
The event is currently looking for participants, pledges and performers to fill the concert slots.
If you’re interested in being a part of this practice-a-thon fundraiser, contact Hummel at bryan.hummel@drake.edu.
Great idea! Thank you very much!!!!!!!
Priscilla Watkins Hillis Elementary School Hickman and 56th Street. Des Moines, IA
Thank you so much! We have many students in need of instruments and supplies.
Anne Boal
Brody Middle School Band & Orchestra
Wright, Park Avenue, Jefferson, Morris, Lovejoy and Studebaker Elementary Band & Strings
Great idea! What assurances are there from DMPS that the funds will actually be used in the music programs? As in, how will teachers get access to funds? Sure appreciate the thoughtfulness and hope DMPS doesn’t get in the way of teachers wanting to use the funds.
SAI and Sinfonia has been in direct contact with a representative from the DMPS and we will continue to correspond with her about what the money will go towards. We raised over 2,700 in total!