Date: Fri 21-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

schools-choral-trip-Italy

Full Text:

Aiming For High `C' In Italy 1998

The Newtown Choral Parents Fund Raising Committee includes, from left, Judy

Pierce, Marilyn Doyle, Jackie Shea, Donna Locke, Juliann DeLuca and Joanne

Cwikla. Not pictured are Laura Earle, Valerie Giarratano, Linda Koralczuk,

Marie Marciano and Karen Perrone.

-Photo Courtesy Jackie Shea

two more photos to come

B Y D OROTHY E VANS

The parents of the Newtown High School chorus students are pulling out all the

stops, aiming to raise funds to help approximately 100 Newtown singers who

will be eligible to travel to Italy in April 1998.

"There's such a love of music in Italy. That music was written to be performed

in the churches where we'll be singing," said NHS choral director Ann Doyle.

During her five-year tenure at Newtown, Mrs Doyle has taken the singers to

Italy once before and said she is very grateful for the support she receives

from the "very vital and energetic parents."

Since the freshmen do not go on the trip, there will be an entirely new group

next spring, and Mrs Doyle hopes many students will not only want to go, but

will be able to afford it.

Although the European Performing Tour is more than a year away, it is not too

soon to mobilize - begin an aggressive fund-raising campaign - said parent

group co-chairman Jackie Shea.

She's hoping not only to raise funds, but also to raise awareness among

Newtown community members.

"This trip to Italy is something the chorus likes to do every two years or so.

It's a big expense and we'd like to support the kids, raise enough to offset

everyone's cost," Mrs Shea said.

She estimated that could amount to as much as $2,000 per student. Expenses

include airfare, food and lodging, and a chartered bus throughout their stay

in Italy. The trip is planned for the third week in April 1998, to coincide

with the spring break.

Cranking up to the next level, the NHS choral parents hope to reach a wider

population of supporters than their own circle of chorus families. It's not an

easy task, they say, because the 150 student singers who perform in the four

school groups - Chorus, Concert Choir, Women's Choir and Madrigal Singers -

don't have the visibility that other school groups enjoy.

The marching band, for example, plays at football games and in the Labor Day

Parade, and its fund-raising efforts are well-known in the community.

"The choral group struggles to keep its head above water. The tradition isn't

there. We have to think of different ways to get the community involved," said

parent group member Donna Locke.

All-Stars Fund-Raiser

On April 5 at St Rose School parish hall, the choral parents are sponsoring a

benefit performance for the 1998 European Performing Tour by the high-energy

band, Dr J's All Stars.

This five-piece band is well-known for entertaining audiences with its

trademark blend of party music, new and old favorites from the Beatles to

Motown, and rock standards from the 60s to today's hits.

"If you've got neighbors and friends who like music, make a table. We've tried

to keep the price low," said Mrs Locke.

Groups may bring in bottles of wine and hors d'oeuvres to share.

"St Rose says it's OK," Mrs Locke added.

Cake and coffee will be served free of charge as a way to end the evening.

The cost will be $15 per person and the evening, which lasts from 8 pm to

midnight, is for adults only.

For tickets and information, Newtown residents are encouraged to call Mrs

Locke at 270-1502 or Juliann DeLuca at 426-7997.

As there will be a limited number of tickets, Mrs Locke is urging party-goers

to call early.

Other Fund-Raisers Planned

In addition to the April 5 benefit, which the choral parents hope will become

an annual event, a number of smaller fund-raisers have already been completed.

There was a candy sale in the fall, a gift-wrap sale over the holidays at Sand

Hill Plaza, and a catalogue sale of Princess House Crystal.

Although the group considered those projects successful, Mrs Shea felt they

needed to have more to show for their efforts.

"We were running around," she said.

That's when they decided to plan a bigger fund-raiser to help the students in

a more substantial way - the April 5 concert by Dr J's All Stars.

One more major fund-raiser is planned for this school year, a tag sale

scheduled to take place Saturday, May 17, on the middle school front lawn.

Families may reserve a space for $25 and should call Mrs Shea at 426-3030 to

reserve a spot. Or, if they don't want to participate in the tag sale but

would like to make a donation, there will be a Chorus Group table for that

purpose. The rain date will be Sunday, May 18.

Next fall, the group plans an Antique and Craft Show in the newly renovated

high school.

"But that's just in the planning stages," Mrs Shea said.

First things first. Right now she hopes everyone will come out and support the

April 5 benefit, "because a full house at the Dr J's All Stars concert will go

a long way," she added, in helping the choral students.

Think Italy in April 1998, she said. That's the goal.