Allen County Schools Receive Grants for Music Education

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Kinder and Oakdale High Schools will receive much-needed funds for their group programs.

Students are excited about the opportunities this money will open.

“Music in general is truly an integral part of Oakdale and our community, and with this grant, it will be much easier and will help us use our voice to represent Oakdale much better,” said Oakdale School Drummer Shelby Domingue.

Money from the Education Development Fund or the WEF grant will be used to purchase new percussion and low wind instruments.

“For example, a low wind instrument usually costs about five to six thousand dollars. Concert-size tubas cost between nine and twelve thousand dollars,” said Warrior Band Director Tim Vasquez.

Vasquez said the grant will also help the Oakdale High School band program.

He said the more young students who become interested, the more likely they are to continue into high school – ultimately expanding their entire band program.

“Especially for such a small group, the financial aspect is really important. Many people have a passion for the instrument they want to play, but sometimes they can’t play it. And with this grant, that problem will go away for a while,” Domingue said.

Domingue said music has forever impacted his life and hopes this grant will impact the lives of even more people.

“I feel that music is one of the most important skills a person can learn today. People don’t really realize that music is such a big part of life,” shared Kinder High band student Jeremiah Deville.

Kinder High’s marching band is enjoying a big win and is hoping this grant money will help them and their band continue to grow in success.

“When I was new there were about 20 people in the group and now there are almost 50, so if we are going to continue this growth even after I leave, we need this grant money,” the group said. student Matthew Courville.

“I just love these people so much, and it’s so nice to see people getting opportunities that I didn’t have when I was a rookie. As freshmen this year, they should have won state and I didn’t,” added band member Leah Lovett.

Senior band members and band director Jordan Moore say the growth they’ve seen in the program over the past few years has been inspiring.

“You know, in a small school it is difficult to gather a large group; difficult to compete. But for us to still have that music or something like that, and that’s what our superintendent is trying to do, is make music the foundation for our students,” Moore shared.

Both band directors said they received an excellent response from administration and the community.

A portion of the grant funds will also be used to purchase drums for Oberlin School.

Superintendent Brad Solio said there are plans to open a drum line there next year.

These grants are provided by the Louisiana Department of Education.

You can find further information on how your school can apply for such an award by clicking Here.