$20k grant helps fulfill Glendale High’s musical wish list

Some Glendale High students will no longer have to share musical instruments and older instruments will be retired after the school received a more than $20,000 financial boost from the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.

Tricia Steel, a representative from the Los Angeles-based foundation, recently notified Glendale school officials that the high school had won a competitive grant, and it will receive $24,000 worth of new instruments.

“Without organizations like this, it would be hard to supply all of our kids with instruments,” said Amy Rangel, who directs the instrumental music program at Glendale High.

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The grant will help Rangel fulfill her wish list of 10 new instruments — a piccolo, two double French horns, a baritone saxophone, a euphonium, two tenor saxophones, a string bass, a trombone and an alto saxophone.

Rangel said later that the roughly 250 students involved in the instrumental program at Glendale High make up five large ensembles.

The annual budget to run the program is roughly $50,000, supported largely by donations and sponsors.

“Money is always tight, and our department is always looking for local business sponsors, individual donations and new ideas for fundraising,” Rangel said.

Sometimes the costs for supplies and instrument repairs can climb to $10,000 per year.

However, the payoff is well worth the effort, Rangel added.

“Being a part of a music department ‘family’ can change a kid’s life,” she said. “The skills that they learn and develop will help them succeed no matter where life leads them after high school. Our program is based on student leadership, citizenship and artistry. Working in groups, both large and small, and having students take leadership roles, helps them grow as individuals and is an invaluable lesson.”

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Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @kellymcorrigan

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