Music programs from two local high schools awarded $700 from 2016 Sing-Along proceeds
-The Arroyo Grande Rotary Club will present it’s 10th Annual Christmas & Holiday Sing-Along to be presented on Sunday, Dec. 17. This special 4 p.m. matinee will take place in Arroyo Grande’s intimate Clark Center. Attendees will be able to enjoy great regional music and performing groups while also joining their family and friends in singing all their favorite Christmas and holiday songs. This charming community event annually caps off the holiday season leading up to Christmas while also supporting local performing arts groups.
Net proceeds from this event are donated annually to the music and arts programs of various regional schools and performance groups. At a recent Arroyo Grande Rotary Club meeting the proceeds from the 2016 Sing-Along were donated to the Arroyo Grande High School and Nipomo High School Music Departments. A total of $700 was divided between the two music programs. Collecting the Rotary donation checks at the November 2nd meeting were Kim Youngblood, Nipomo High School Band Director, and Raynee Daley, Superintendent of Lucia Mar Unified School District, accepting for the Arroyo Grande High School Music Department.
This year marks the 10th Anniversary for the Christmas and Holiday Sing-Along. The concept came to life when then AG Rotary Club members Karla Cool and Curtis Reinhardt were inspired after attending a similar show at the SLO Performing Arts Center. Karla assembled the first year’s committee and secured the invaluable help of Judith Dunlore, the show’s Musical Director for the first eight years. Curtis has remained a spirited committee member ever since the show’s inception. The first nine years of performances have featured over 30 different regional music and arts groups and involved a total of over 800 performers. The 2016 show was created and directed by Denise Paulus.
Sing-along check presentation
This December’s show is entitled “Christmas in America.” The show welcomes new Musical Director Tricia Stewart who has recently retired as the Nipomo High School Band Director. Tricia will create the show and assemble the talent. The performances will include the Arroyo Grande High School Choir, the Lucia Mar Youth Choir, a theatrical performance from the Coastal Performing Arts Theatre Group and a special appearance by the Dulcimer String Band! The show welcomes back the Grande Ringers from the Arroyo Grande United Methodist Church as well as the Paulus Carolers, pianist David Alm, vibraphonist Brad Lusk and the Estero Brass. Arrangements are now being made for special appearances by Santa Claus! Plus, free holiday goodies and drinks will be provided for everyone in the lobby at the end of the show.
Tickets for the Christmas and Holiday Sing-Along are only $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for children & students and are now available from the Clark Center Box Office at 489-9444 or www.clarkcenter.org. Special family discount pricing (in advance only at the Box Office) allows three to five family members to attend for only $30. It is suggested that all tickets be purchased well in advance in anticipation of a sell-out.
Rabobank is again the overall sponsor of the Sing-Along. KSBY is the television media sponsor and Simply Clear Marketing – Coast News is the newspaper media sponsor for this concert. Complete event and sponsor information is now available at http://agrotary.org/
Additional local support and sponsors are now being sought for this event. The organizing committee plans to secure enough sponsors to mitigate the show expenses thereby allowing 100-percent of the ticket revenue to be donated to local school music programs. Sponsorships at the $100 and $250 levels are now available. Contact Event Chair Mary Sansone at Mary.Sansone@1stcapitalbank.com or (805) 550-9461 to secure a sponsorship.
