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The Roseburg News-Review---July 8, 2008
“I am overwhelmed our kids from a small Douglas County school will have the opportunity to play at Carnegie Hall in 2009,” said tribal Chairwoman Sue Shaffer.
The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians presented a $10,000 check to Riddle High School band director Marty Follose to help with travel expenses of the 54 band members.By Cara Pallone
Now that the excitement of accepting an invitation to play at Carnegie Hall has somewhat worn off, the Riddle High School Band has tuned in to the cost of the trip to New York.
The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians alleviated some of the expense Monday with a $10,000 check presented to band director Marty Follose.
“I’m overwhelmed our kids from a small Douglas County school will have this opportunity,” said tribal Chairwoman Sue Shaffer.
On June 4, Follose got a letter saying Riddle had been accepted for the Spring 2009 Carnegie Hall Ensemble Debut Series.
The band of 54 students, some of whom are alumni, will leave for New York on March 27 to perform a 31-minute set on the famed stage.
“It’s wonderful and scary,” said Follose.
He estimates the cost of the trip will total $108,000. Currently, the band has raised about $20,000, including the recent donation.
Follose and his musicians will be collecting money at several festivals and events around Douglas County for their trip, during which they plan to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Empire State Building, Times Square and maybe even pay a visit to Broadway.
“We have to see a musical,” said Follose.
He said the serious fundraising will begin in the fall when school starts, and he has already warned his band that they will be playing a lot more concerts around Douglas County to raise money.
Audience members can expect “New York, New York” to be the theme song of each performance.
Anyone interested in donating to the Riddle High School Band Carnegie Hall trip can call Follose at 863-2873 or the Riddle School District at 863-2873.