Photo: Donations lead to new instruments for Austin bands

Published 5:37 pm Saturday, February 1, 2014

Last month, Austin High School purchased a new bass clarinet thanks to donations received from the Music Boosters of Austin ($1,000), the AHS Alumni Band ($500) and a grant from the Walmart Foundation ($1,000). This past week, band director Bradley Mariska ordered a new tenor sax thanks to a grant from the Austin Area Foundation ($1,500), Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services Operation Roundup ($500), an anonymous individual donor ($500) and contributions from patrons attending Paramount Jazz ($500). The band is currently raising funds for several new instruments including an oboe, baritone saxophone and euphonium. Individuals, organizations or businesses interested in helping the growing Austin band program can contact Mariska via email: bradley.mariska@austin.k12.mn.us. Mariska is pictured with Dawn Schroeder, Communications Assistant with the Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services, who presented the band with a check on Jan. 27.