The DeMatha Music Department has a strong history of support from current and alumni families, friends, and members of the community.
There are many ways in which you can be part of the success of this fabulous program. Click on the links below to find the perfect way for you to get involved!
2010 Auction and Dinner Gala: The Magic of Music Saturday, October 23
This event is only held once each year and is THE opportunity for DeMatha alumni, families and friends to support the continuation of DeMatha's 40 years of excellence in music. Funds raised at this event make it possible for DeMatha music students to participate in local and national music competitions, provide student scholarships, and support the DeMatha music program overall. The Annual Dinner & Auction usually takes place in the fall, usually early October. See the Invitation in the upper right for details of this year's Gala.
There are many ways you can help to make this event a success:
Advertising - Consider advertising in the auction program or soliciting advertisements from local businesses. Just bring a few copies of the sponsorship and advertising request when you stop by the dry cleaners, dine at your favorite restaurant, or head to the mall. While you support those businesses, ask them to support your school by placing an ad in the program or becoming a sponsor.
Donating - Help us to build an exciting and varied assortment of silent and live auction items by donating a service, creating a gift basket, or asking a local business to donate an item for the auction. The donation request form makes donating quick and easy. This year, we've added an online auction component to this event, so we will be reaching out to a larger audience and hope to have items available to bid on through all three forms of auction: silent, live, and now, online.
Attending - Save the date and join us! Tickets will be available through the band office or you can purchase them online.
If you are unable to attend the Annual Dinner & Auction and want to bid on items that are listed in the program but not available through the online auction you may want to consider using the
Absentee Bidder Form. If your bid is the highest offer, your credit card will be charged the night of the event and you'll be able to pick up your items the following week. Credit cards can even be registered in advance online.
Nearly one-half of the 1,000 students enrolled at DeMatha participate in this annual tradition every November. From 8:00 am until 11:00 pm, students dance to raise funds to sponsor the music program's participation in a national music competition. Each student is required to raise a minimum of $100, although they are encouraged to try to raise the entire cost for each of them to travel to and participate in the competition. Competitions typically take place in cities such as Orlando, FL; Atlanta, GA; Myrtle Beach, SC; or Virginia Beach, VA. The average cost for each participant, including travel, is $500.
Pledge forms are available in the band office or by clicking on this link: Dance Marathon Pledge Form
Even if you don't know a student who will participate in the Dance Marathon, you can make a donation.
It takes an enormous amount of manpower (and woman-power) to keep the DeMatha Music Department running.
If you have just a few minutes to spare, please consider helping us with the following:
- Stuffing envelopes & coordinating mailings
- Monitoring practice rooms and equipment during performances
- Selling tickets and passing out programs at concerts
- Chaperoning the annual trip (usually to Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, or Orlando)
- Becoming an active member of the Band Boosters program, chair a fundraiser, help with set up or clean up at our annual auction & dinner, the dance marathon, the band banquet, and other social events throughout the year.
To volunteer, please contact
Terry McAleer, our current Band Booster Chair, or
John Mitchell.
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the DeMatha music program by purchasing a Recognition Tile. These attractive, personalized tiles will be permanently mounted on the wall in the main office suite of the new music building. Learn more about the Tile Recognition Program and support the DeMatha Music Program now that they have a new home.
Chairs and Stands
As we move into the new Music Center, we invite you to help us once again by purchasing a new chair or music stand (or both) for our beautiful classrooms. If you contribute, your name will appear on a plaque in the new building. For details, read Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Roper's letter. Please use this form when donating for the chairs and stands.