HUNTINGTON BEACH : Panel Funds Music Programs at Schools

The Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee has donated about $120,000 from a recent fund-raiser to aid school music programs at a time when districts have found it increasingly tough to fund such arts electives on their own.

The money was raised at the organization’s 31st Cruise of Lights, an annual event that attracted nearly 25,000 viewers in December.

About $12,000 was given directly to city schools. The remainder was donated to the Orange County Philharmonic Society to be distributed for music programs and concerts at all schools in the county.

Circle View Elementary received funds for the partial salary of a music teacher; Ethel Dwyer Middle School, for sheet music and transportation of pupils to the Orange County Philharmonic Society’s Disneyland Jazz Concert at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, and Harbour View Elementary, for a vocal music teacher for 8 1/2 hours a week for 25 weeks.

The organization also donated money to Huntington Beach High School for the purchase of instruments for a new orchestra class at the School for Performing Arts and to Marina High School for sheet music for the music library, the repair of musical instruments and salaries of music staff.

Other beneficiaries are: Marine View Middle School, for the partial underwriting of a teacher’s salary for the school’s Song and Dance Company program; Agnes L. Smith Elementary, for a music teacher’s salary for 13 hours a week for 12 weeks, and St. Bonaventure Elementary, for music charts and teachers’ manuals.

Annette Eliot, the organization’s vice president for public relations, said money raised from the Cruise of Lights and donations from Philharmonic members are more important than ever, particularly in times of school budget constraints.

“If not for our programs and our money, some schools may not have any music education,” she said. “Music increases the meaning of life and enriches the soul.”