The Bitterroot School of Music will be having its annual fundraiser on Saturday, May 5 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Community Room of Hamilton City Hall. The school operates as a non-profit, with the goal of providing high quality music instruction and performance opportunities for students of all ages and interests – regardless of artistic ability or economic circumstances.
Jenn Adams directs the school, which has rented space and built studios at 100 Skeels Avenue in Hamilton, where instructors can teach voice and instrumental music lessons in soundproofed rooms. They offer scholarships to kids who can’t afford the lessons, and they have loaner instruments for those who can’t afford to purchase or rent, even at their low rental rates.
“We have the opportunity to take over another space in our building and build two more studios, which we need desperately,” Adams said. “We are currently serving as many students as we can, but there’s a demand for more.”
The school is hoping to build two new studios, one for drums and percussion, the other to accommodate guitar and violin students. Adams estimates that fitting out each studio will cost approximately $5,000. The fundraiser is intended to help out with those construction costs. Attendees can also direct their contributions to the school’s scholarship fund to help students with the cost of music instruction.
The Bitterroot School of Music will produce a summer music camp for kids, where they not only work on improving their musicianship, but also learn songwriting and performance skills. The Missoula-based band, Shakewell, is “in residence” for the week-long camp, providing students with invaluable face-to-face time with musicians who are working and performing.
The school’s mission is to teach students in an environment that honors achievement, creativity and personal growth through music.
The May 5 event is by donation, and runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The program includes student recitals, a Cinco de Mayo Mexican food bar, beer from the Bitterroot Brewery, silent auctions, and a banjo raffle. As a bonus, the “Shakey Trio” will perform, featuring three members of the popular and talented band, Shakewell – Cove Jasmin, Emmet Ore, and Jordan Smith.
For more information, call Adams at 363-5491.