Herricks Music Boosters co-president Debbie Madonna has a simple explanation for her organization’s behind-the-scenes work: “Music is important to the schools.”
The Herricks Music Boosters, now in its 26th year of existence have demonstrated that commitment with their support to a music program that has earned the school district and its students statewide notice year after year.
“It’s the whole connection with the parents of the community that supports the music program,” said John McNeur, music and performing arts director in the Herricks School District.
The boosters, composed primarily of parents with musically-minded students in the district, has seen its membership grow to 200 district residents this year, from 150 people last year.
Members of the boosters said the increase in membership was at least in part attributable to a large influx of 6th grade students, whose parents have become involved with the organization.
Many of the new members of the boosters made contributions exceeding the $15 annual membership fee the group has established.
Madonna said the Herricks Music Boosters see their role as one of supplementing what the school district administration does to support the schools’ music programs. That includes purchasing new instruments when they are needed, but not covered in the budget.
Last year, the boosters bought new music stands for the high school and new podiums for the grade schools. They also helped fund a music group trip for a student who couldn’t afford it.
This is also the fourth year that the boosters are providing a $1,000 college scholarship for a student intending to major in music, as many Herricks High School graduates do.
While many of their activities have focused on Herricks Middle school and Herricks High School over the years, the boosters are expanding that focus to include students in the lower grades.
“What we’ve been doing is making ourselves visible in the elementary schools in addition to the middle school and the high school,” Madonna said. “We really support the whole district.”
The school district plays host for all-county orchestra rehearsals at Herricks High School, and 10 music booster volunteers prepare and sell breakfasts and lunches during the three days of those rehearsals each year to raise money to support the Herricks music program. They also sell candy to the student musicians in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra when those musicians take breaks.
Members of the elite Tri-M Honor Music Society – students who receive top marks in the New York State School Music Association evaluations – help with the boosters’ fundraising activities.
Music boosters co-president Stephanie Elgort, whose son Zach is a percussionist in Herricks Middle School, said the boosters also enable a dialogue with the district administration when parents have questions or suggestions about specific programs.
“Sometimes we act as a liaison,” she said.
Boosters members clearly see the value of a musical education as part of their overall educational experience.
“It’s not an academic subject. But it has been shown that those who are good in it are good in other subjects. Why shouldn’t we support the thing they excel at.” said boosters member Ferdousi Kahn.
Many of the parents also perceive a deeper meaning in music for their children. Madonna has two children who have graduated from the district and are currently studying in college to become music educators.
“For most of the kids, it’s who they are,” she said.
