Saturday, October 11, 2008

These Talented Natchez Kids Need Help Now!

UPDATE: We made it! Thanks to all the generous people of Natchez - and to the Natchez Democrat for running an article, which definitely helped.

Did you know that the Robert Lewis Middle School Orchestra is the only orchestra in the whole state that was accepted for the National Orchestra Festival? That’s right, I said orchestra – not band – and they play classical music! And it’s students from our public schools – not from one of our private schools. This is a fantastic success story, and we should all be proud of these extremely talented musicians. The sky’s the limit for these kids. As their teacher, Shawn Smith, told them, “That’s your ticket to college, that’s your scholarship.”



Photo from article in the Natchez Democrat.


There’s just one problem. They have to pay their own way, and they’re far short of their goal. They have to send a $3250 deposit to the festival by Wednesday – and they only have $1075. Imagine how these kids will feel when they’ve worked so hard and done everything right but they still lose – just because this town would not support them. We cannot let this happen!

Please send a check for whatever you can afford to Orchestra Booster Club, P O Box 198, Natchez MS 39121 by Wednesday. Then forward this to everyone you know.

For more information, call the school at 601.445.2926, email the orchestra at natchezorchestra@gmail.com or email their teacher, Shawn Smith, at shawny@earthlink.net.

UPDATE: A contribution is tax deductible, and I have their tax id number, if you need it.