Students Use Talents to Raise Money for Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation

Dozens of students from various grades showcased their artistic talents Tuesday night by playing instruments, acting, singing, painting, and twirling  flags at the Wayne Evening With the Arts, a fundraiser sponsored by the Wayne Hills’ High School chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

“One thing that I can say for certainty is that the arts are not under-appreciated here in Wayne,” said Samantha D’Amico, vice president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.  “It is so gratifying to see so many people come together and use the arts to help people.”

D’Amico, Baxter Miatke, and the other Tri-M members wanted to raise money for the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and thought that a night of performances by artistically-gifted students would be a nice way to do that. The foundation donates instruments to under-funded music programs so students who would normally not have the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument do. Tri-M's goal is "to increase student and school involvement with music" and "make stronger and more unified" school music programs.

Musical performances rotated among four rooms at Wayne Hills High School. Vocal soloists from Wayne Valley High School and Anthony Wayne Middle School sang together. The Chamber Choir, Winterguard team, and Jazz Band from Wayne Hills performed. Upstairs in the library, art students demonstrated their painting abilities. An Improv Troupe took to the auditorium stage and later other students performed a brief scene from the annual Spring musical. The hallways were filled with attendees going back and forth between rooms, rushing to see the various acts. Students from elementary schools and middle schools also participated.

“At first we thought that we’d get enough response to stagger the performances, but so many people from throughout the district responded to our invitation that we had to use the multi-room format,” Miatke said. “It was incredible to see the response and to know that we’re using our talents to help others.”

Matthew Paterno, the Wayne Hills band director and Tri-M advisor, said the event was “special” for several reasons.

“Watching students advocate for their community and for fellow artists is incredible,” Paterno said. “We have some very good performers and the students who organized the event couldn’t have made it operate any smoother than they have. They should be very proud of themselves.”