The Ledyard Music Department, widely regarded as one of the premier high school music departments in southeastern Connecticut, is once again in need of support. In response, the Ledyard Music Boosters, who organize a major fund-raiser every two years, have planned a walk-a-thon which will allow Ledyard Music to make major purchases, repairs, and upgrades.
Walk-a-thon co-chair Jeanne Seney explained that supporting Ledyard Music is critical because, unlike in some schools, the program plays a significant role in many of the students’ daily activities.
“Given the size of Ledyard High School, the participation rate is very high,” Seney said. “I believe at least 25 percent of the students at the school participate in the music department in one form or another.”
In years past, funds from the biannual fund-raiser have gone to the purchase of a baby grand piano for the music department’s many performances, and an upgrade of the auditorium’s sound system.
While the music department is still weighing its options, two of the possible purchases would be the installation of a recording studio to allow students to get some practical experience in music fields other than performing, or setting up a piano lab, complete with individual keyboards. Currently, students who take keyboarding/piano classes must supply their own instruments.
Seney also explained that this year’s event is dually important, as it will not only fund the department’s future purchases, but will also go toward offsetting the department’s travel expenses.
“We’re still doing some research on what different things will cost us,” Seney said. “But we’ll set a specific goal as to what we’re trying to purchase, and that way the kids have something to strive for. This year, part of our money is also going toward the kids’ travel fund because Ledyard High plans a major trip every four years and this year we’ll be doing that, so we’re looking at some sort of Disneyland trip coming in the spring.”
Scheduled to be held on Saturday, Sept. 27 at LHS’s Mignault Field, Seney said the walk-a-thon is really more of a community event than strictly a fund-raiser. In addition to multiple student performances and a DJ that will keep things lively until midnight, the event will also feature kids games, moon bounces, a dunk tank, and food and snacks.
And while their goal figure has yet to be set in stone, Seney said that the event typically nets Ledyard Music around $10,000 in large part due to the generosity of corporate sponsors and supportive parents.
“This is a very positive program in the Ledyard school system that contributes to a broad spectrum of the students,” Seney said. “They make a place in the program for everyone, no matter what their musical ability or interest, from those students who just want to get involved on the sidelines to those who have great aspirations of pursuing music further on in life.”
For more information about making a donation or volunteering, send an e-mail to Jeanne Seney at jmsene@aol.com.