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Active in Guttenberg: Clayton Ridge Music Boosters

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The newly-formed show choir shows off their new uniforms purchased by the booster club. Seated are Levi Berns and Jade Geuder, standing from left are Elayna Simon and Audrey Helle. (Photo submitted)

By Molly Moser

Editor’s note: This story is one in an ongoing series to highlight local groups and organizations that welcome members of the community and enhance our city’s culture. If you would like your group to be featured, please contact The Guttenberg Press. 

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The Clayton Ridge Music Boosters are a dynamic group of volunteers and fundraisers who support vocal and instrumental music in the schools in a variety of ways. The members do not hold regular meetings, but they jump in whenever they’re needed by the music department.

“We have mostly parents and family members that are involved in the music boosters. Community members are more than welcome to be involved as well,” said high school and middle school band instructor Jeremy Idler. “Our main need is financial, but there are times throughout the year where volunteers are very much appreciated. We appreciate the willingness of parents and community members to help the music department when the need arises.”

“As with many schools, budget cuts will make paying for things more difficult. With the help of the Music Boosters, we are more able to purchase the items and keep it out of the school’s general fund,” Idler explained. “The Boosters have helped to fund many big things over the years. The music trailer, band uniforms, and sometimes instruments were purchased with the help of the Music Boosters.”

The Boosters help with the annual Swing Show, support special trips for musicians to New York, Minneapolis, or other cities, and recently purchased show choir costumes. For three years, proceeds from the Celebration of Life were used by the booster club to purchase items to enhance the programs of the music department. Some of the items included additional leg supports for the new dance risers, costumes for the newly created CRHS Show Choir, the purchase of two original arrangements for the show choir to perform, choreographer fees, and toward the New York City band trip. The booster club also funds the senior Fine Art Scholarship each year. 

Raising funds for such purchases is done throughout the year when Booster club members work in concession stands, participate in the Brown’s chili cook-off, and sell candy bars, cheesecakes, other food, and wreaths. “We’ve been lucky that any fundraisers we’ve done to benefit the boosters we’ve had great parent volunteers,” said choir instructor Adam Radcliffe. 

“The community is very supportive of the fine arts and this is greatly appreciated,” said booster club member Jane Staebler. There are over 20 members in the club, all of whom are donors of $25 or more and are listed in concert programs. To join, simply fill out the form on the Clayton Ridge website.

Spring is a busy season for the Clayton Ridge music department. The jazz band brought home a third place trophy in 2A from the NEIBA Jazz Band Contest on March 5 in Hudson. Cloud 9 placed first in Western Dubuque’s 2A Main Event Show Choir Contest on Feb. 27. Upcoming Clayton Ridge musical events are listed as follows:

March 17 - Middle School Solo/Ensemble Festival (Garnavillo)

April 6 - State Solo/Ensemble Preview Recital (HS Choir Room)

April 9 - State Solo/Ensemble Contest (North Fayette/Valley HS)

April 15-17 - High School Musical, “Young Frankenstein”

April 19 - 7/8 Grade Honor Choir (Oelwein)

April 26 - 5/6 Grade Honor Choir (Oelwein)

May 3 - Spring Concert, grades K-4 at 6 p.m. and 5-8 at 7 p.m., Guttenberg gym

May 6 - High School Pre-Contest Concert, 7 p.m. (St. Mary’s Church)

May 7 - State Large Group Music Contest (Sumner-Fredericksburg HS)

May 16 - UIC Jr. High Vocal Festival (Central, Elkader)

May 17 - High School Swing Show (Guttenberg Gym)

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