By Craig Michaels
The Palm Springs High School Music Department consists of more than five hundred music students that encompass the band, choir, orchestra, guitar, and visual teams. In 2015, the “The Spirit of the Sands” was named a GRAMMY FOUNDATION® Signature School Community Award Winner selected from more than 2000 school across the country. More than eighty percent of the band members are on the school honor roll and one hundred percent of the group’s graduating seniors qualify for colleges or university. Other notable credits include performing for and with Barry Manilow, Max Weinberg, Suzanne Somers, Carol Channing, and have opened for the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
With more schools struggling to get funding for their music programs, fundraising has become essential to keep music alive in the classrooms. “The Big Band Spectacular” dinner and dance sponsored by the PSHS music department is your chance to help support future musicians here in the Valley. The evening will feature fabulous food and dancing to live jazz from the Great American Songbook provided by the PSHS Swings Jazz Band. Attendees will also have a chance to bid on gift baskets and silent auction items from local retailers.
In addition to raising funds for uniforms and band equipment, the group will be embarking on a tour to Croatia and Slovenia this spring. The band will be doing several Formal Performances as well as informal cultural exchanges with bands form throughout both countries. The band will conclude its exciting tour in Venice Italy!
The band appreciates the community support for recognizing the educational value and curricular significance that music education plays in the public schools of the Palm Springs Unified School District as well as the ongoing budget challenges facing music programs. Tickets are still on sale for this spectacular event happening February 26th at 6:00 p.m. (PSHS Performing Arts Building 2248 East Ramon Road, Palm Springs.)Tickets are available at the PSHS band building or online at the band website: www.psband.org. Silent auctions items are still being graciously accepted as well as monetary donations. For more information, call Brian Ingelson, Director of Bands, Palm Springs High School: (760) 778.0417.
Craig Michaels Productions
(760) 880-3848
