Schools

With a Toot, Toot Here and a Gift Wrap There

Parents, students join hands with Borders to raise money for Newark junior high and high school music programs

Newark students and parents brought a bit of holiday spirit into Borders in Fremont this past week.

Horns were tooted, drums were tapped and ribbons were cut and tied Saturday and Sunday as part of a fundraiser hosted by the Newark Band Boosters, a group of about two dozen parents devoted to supporting band programs at and .  

Parents and students passed out vouchers to shoppers throughout the Fremont Hub Shopping Center as part of the bookstore's Benefit Days program. A percentage of the shoppers' purchases will go toward funding Newark bands. Students also played music while parents gift-wrapped shoppers' purchases.

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Newark Band Boosters raised $774.16 after 11 days of gift-wrapping.

Proceeds from this week's fundraisers will be used for the bands' spring band competition in Anaheim, called Festival Disney with Disney Youth Programs.

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Students built the musical holiday spirit inside the shopping center's only bookstore even though it was the start of a two-week winter vacation.

For 16-year-old Michael Acidera, it was not a burden. Playing his clarinet is all about fun, he said.

"It's music," said Acidera of why he participates in band. "I just love to play."

Acidera, a junior at Newark Memorial High School, was one of about 30 students who performed while shoppers browsed the store. 

Events like this showcase what band students can do, said Lorie Mohs, president of the parent-led organization.

"For us, getting them out and about is really to promote the kids and the resources we are looking to save," said Mohs, whose 14-year-old son, Blake Mohs, has been in band since fourth grade.

She said programs like band provide a safe haven on campus for students who share common interests and who excel musically. 

This year, about 70 students participate in band – 45 at the junior high and 25 at the high school. About 50 students are involved with the high school's two choirs.

It is a much different picture than the past, said music teacher Andre Ehling, who has been with the Newark Unified School District for six years and taught music at the elementary schools before being promoted.

This is Ehling's second year directing the junior high and high school bands and the high school's choirs. He said music programs are important because they let students learn how to work together toward common goals.

"It makes you form this bond with the group. You create this really amazing thing, and you all work hard to get there," Ehling said. "Music is a really deep thing, and they put a lot into it and can get a lot out of it."

Seventh-grader Amber Glieden already has. Glieden said band gives her a way to form friendships. It's also educational and fun, she said. 

"It gives you creativity," Amber said.

Her mother, Erika Glieden, said band gives Amber a way to stay motivated in school. Glieden took on the role of vice president of the Newark Band Boosters to support her daughter's interest in music.

"I feel the more involved you are at helping your child, the more it helps the positive all around," Glieden said.

Parents and students will be bringing more holiday cheer to last-minute shoppers, wrapping gifts and playing music from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday at Borders in Fremont.

To learn more about Newark Band Boosters or find out how to donate toward the music programs, visit them on Facebook here. For more information on Borders Benefit Days, click here.


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