BMS band receives $1,000 grant for 3rd consecutive year

The Berryville Middle School band program has been awarded a $1,000 music grant from the Peter R. Marsh Foundation for the third consecutive year.

The grant comes with some conditions, including a requirement that the band must perform at least three times during the current school year at local senior citizens facilities such as senior centers or retirement communities.

Grant funds have been used to purchase appropriate music over the last three years. In return, Tonya Blevins, middle school band director, will send in photographs and videos of the band members performing and interacting with the senior citizen groups.

“One of the conditions of the grant is that students have to interact with the seniors,” Blevins said in a news release about the grant. “This is a wonderful experience for our students and brings great joy to our senior citizens in our community.”

One of the band’s performances this year will be at The Blossoms nursing and rehabilitation center in Berryville, according to the release.

“We are still working out all the dates,” Blevins said. “We know for sure we will be out and about around Christmas time including a performance with Santa at Equity Bank.”

Matt Wetzel, board director for the Peter R. Marsh Foundation, wrote in a letter to Blevins: “We look forward to learning of the successes that you, your students, your school and the senior citizens of your community have experienced through your efforts and this grant program.”