ORCHESTRA SEEKS MONEY FOR D.C. TRIP

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Cape Central High School Orchestra hopes to raise about $5,000 in the next few weeks to help fund a concert tour to Washington, D.C.

The orchestra, along with the school's choir and band, will make the trip March 23-28, during the school's spring break.

Orchestra director Melvin Gilhaus said the trip will cost about $250 per student. "We have raised over $1,000, but we are taking 26 students," he said.

He said the band and choir also are raising money for the trip.

"It has become a very strong program over about the past 15 years," he said. "It compares favorably with programs in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield."

Cape Central and Sikeston high schools are the only ones in Southeast Missouri with orchestra programs.

The spring concert tour, he said, would provide valuable experience for the young musicians. "This is the kind of experience these kids will think about for the rest of their lives," he said.

Gilhaus said the group will perform standard orchestral literature, not music written for students. "We have students who are quite accomplished. They really do a wonderful job.

"The trip will provide enrichment for the students and will give them some excitement about performing."

Gilhaus said he and choir director Judy Williams and band director Ron Nall organized the trip and scheduled the performances.

The orchestra will perform in both Washington and Annapolis, Md. It will perform at the National Cathedral and at a school in Annapolis. Performances by the other groups are also scheduled.

In addition to performing, students will visit national monuments, the Smithsonian Museum and the Naval Academy. "The history of that whole area is so fertile, we felt it was a good place to visit."

Gilhaus said members of the orchestra have been working for months to raise money. "We had a sale at Christmas and worked the concession stand," he said.

The group is planning a large garage sale March 2 at Gilhaus' residence at 800 East Rodney. Members also plan to hold a benefit concert and are considering making a tape of the music they will perform on the trip.

"But right now we are looking for private donations from individuals and corporations also," he said.

Gilhaus said the group looked into other forms of fund raising such as selling items. "But the profits from those kinds of fund-raising activities are only 50 percent; half goes back to the company, so only half of the donations stay here in the community," he said. "This way, all the money donated will go directly to this effort.

"We are promoting music in public schools and in society. Plus we would like a chance to show what we can do," he said.

He said he is hopeful donations will be forthcoming, guaranteeing that the orchestra will be able to participate in the tour.

"People in this community always seem to be willing to stand behind the arts," he said. "This is another chance to show that support."

Donations can be mailed to the Central High music department at 205 Caruthers. For more information, call Gilhaus at 335-6439.