Fundraising for Whitefish Education Foundation’s “Make Music Resonate” campaign has soared past the halfway mark. 

The campaign has a goal of raising $400,000 to replace antiquated instruments, some of which are 30 to 70 years old. The campaign has also established an endowment to ensure instruments can be replaced for generations.  

The Whitefish Education Foundation, through donor support, set out to make an immediate impact. As school started last fall, the group had already purchased the first set of instruments. 

Recently, the foundation purchased its 100th piece and aims for about 325 more. The pieces range greatly in cost and purpose, from $75 cello bows to $7,400 tubas. 

“We’ve had great community support, from people who have been supporters from the beginning to people that haven’t been involved with the Education Foundation before,” said Jesse Kuntz, director of Whitefish Education Foundation.  

Kuntz said many have been surprised by the state of the instruments – especially given the remarkable talent of students and the high quality of sound they produce.  

In addition to old instruments, Kuntz said they’re also accommodating growth and helping to fill gaps, where demand exceeds supply.  

The band and orchestra programs have reached record numbers in the last couple of years, currently serving about 450 middle and high school students.  

“It’s exciting on an unboxing day, when they’re delivered to students,” Kuntz said. “The impact on the programs has been noticeable, and for our instructors, we want them to know that they are valued.”  

RECENTLY, a few Whitefish music students gathered to film a music video. 

Gathering for the joy of music was not unfamiliar, but the goal of volunteering time to help spread the word about the campaign was a novel experience.  

Mark McCrady, middle school director, and Summer Boggess, orchestra director, and Matthew King, band director, led eight talented students (Sophie Douglas, Ella Idleman, Cohen Gates, Ginger Bergland, Scarlet Burke, Solvei Gunderson, Logan Hyland and Johanna Perkins) in a shared piece, while local sound engineer Toby Scott alongside Edward Meier donated their time to help produce a high quality video. Amanda Holliday from 2Ls Marketing also helped direct.  

“We had planned on just recording ourselves, but they said, if we’re going to do this, let’s do it,” Kuntz said. “They all took leadership of it and made for a great collaborative effort.”  

In the video, instructors share the importance of new instruments, while students described their music experiences as cherished time spent with friends, a joy to play for their families, and a form of emotional release. 

The video was also special in that it showed how individuals are supporting the campaign in more ways than just financially.  

It marks a shift in the campaign, which began with lead donors, but now hopes to bring in the public for any and all smaller gifts.  

To learn more about Make Music Resonate, to see the video, and to make a donation, see whitefisheducationfoundation.org/mmr.

    Whitefish band and orchestra students play for a music video for Whitefish Education Foundation's 'Make Music Resonate' campaign. (Photo by Amanda Holliday)
  

    An old french horn is near its end. (Photo provided)