April 2, 2020, Allentown, PA – Donors, friends and supporters helped the Allentown School District Foundation (ASDF) to raise $104,000 in anticipation of hosting its 10th Annual High Notes Gala. As you know, it was necessary to cancel the Gala on March 13, 2020. After consulting all of our donors, the Foundation was permitted to retain $104,000 in contributions to fund a variety of Foundation programs.
“The event was ready to go. We were ready to start final dress rehearsals when school districts were advised by the Governor to close schools and cancel all activities due to the coronavirus,” reports Executive Director Susan L. Williams. “We have been absolutely grateful to our donors who informed us that the funds secured in sponsorships and tickets could be used for our programs. We thank them and we are so appreciative.”
Continuing ASDF’s mission to support the arts, a total of $34,750 of the net proceeds will be awarded to the following groups in support of their programs as soon as schools re-open. The New York City bus trip, scheduled for March 25 for participating students to see the Broadway show, Frozen, was completely paid for by contributions totaling $14,000. These funds will be escrowed for next year’s trip since the Frozen performance on Broadway was canceled and all ticket reservations were refunded.
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Allentown School District (ASD) Programs
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2020 Performing Arts Grants
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ASD Silver Strings
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$1,500
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William Allen High School (WAHS) Theatre
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$4,500
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Dieruff High School (DHS) Theatre
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$4,500
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Harrison Morton Middle School Theatre
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$3,000
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Raub Middle School Theatre
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$3,000
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Trexler Middle School Theatre
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$3,000
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South Mountain Middle School Theatre
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$3,000
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WAHS Chorale
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$2,250
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DHS Select Choir
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$2,250
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WAHS Dance Academy
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$2,250
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WAHS Jazz Band
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$2,250
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DHS Jazz Band
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$2,250
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DHS Spittin’ Truth
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$1,000
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TOTAL
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$34,750
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Broadway Trip 2021 Escrow
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$14,000
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GRAND TOTAL
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$48,750
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In addition, in-kind contributions used before cancellation of the event totaled almost $5,000. Teacher stipends for the directors involved in the show’s development and program were compensated $4,375, which was 50% of the planned compensation. Operations for programming through the rest of the year will be supported by the remaining proceeds.
The theme of the 2020 Gala production was ‘All in for Allentown.’ It was planned to emphasize the importance of the school district’s goal to return to excellence for not only the benefit of its students, but also to connect it with the City’s Renaissance.
The cast, student musicians and tech team of more than 125 students were from William Allen High School, Louis E. Dieruff High School, and Trexler, Harrison-Morton, South Mountain and Raub Middle Schools.
Save the Date
HIGH NOTES 2021 will be held at Miller Symphony Hall on Saturday, March 20, 2021.
Allentown School District Foundation
With a vision for enriched education for Allentown School District students, the ASD Foundation mission is to encourage, promote, support and fund positive educational experiences for students in the Allentown School District. If you would like to learn more, or add a gift to any school listed above, please contact the Foundation at 484-765-4093 or [email protected]. The mailing address is P.O. Box 328, 31 South Penn Street, Allentown PA 18105. www.allentownsd.org/asdf.
