With the Mission Beach Woman’s Club track record for fundraising, Mission Bay High School (MBHS) will soon have $10,000 to spend on the school’s music program.
The money will be raised through the 5th annual Mission Beach Woman’s Club Fundraiser, Saturday, March 29, from 3 to 6 p.m. at The Pennant, 2893 Mission Blvd.
The club may donate more depending on how much they make but have guaranteed the school at least $10,000.
The event includes games, drinks and silent auctions for a weeklong trip to Maui and breakfast with local lifeguards, Gretchen Walden, Woman’s Club Fundraiser committee said.
Walden said the club selected the Mission Bay High School’s music program to help students get a well-rounded education that includes music.
“We realize the importance of having a music program in place for kids and [how] it can benefit them,” she said. “It sets the stage for them excelling in music and then excelling in education also.”
The money raised from the event would help the school’s music director, Jean-Paul Bamat, buy more instruments for his students.
The school district canceled the program about two years ago because of budget cuts, he said.
But because of donations from organizations such as the Woman’s Club and Friends of Pacific Beach Secondary Schools, Bamat said he can keep the program afloat. The program is in its second year since restarting, he said.
This year, the Friends of Pacific Beach Secondary Schools also donated a $7,000 grant to the program, he said.
Bamat teaches three groups of students, including novice learners, students learning classical-style concert music and students in the MBHS Dixie Jazz Band.
The jazz band plays professionally, giving the students added experience in the industry.
“We’re dealing with budget cuts, the arts are always the first thing that need to be put on the chopping block,” Bamat said. “So it’s really important that people support the arts because it’s always in jeopardy of being cut any year,”
Bamat said that students should start learning music in the fourth grade but added that his seniors show enthusiasm about learning a new instrument. He teaches about 75 students among his three classes.
Bamat also attended Mission Bay High and played in the school’s Dixie Jazz Band. He added that he’s glad he can give back to the community.