The annual Music Day fundraiser for Salem-Keizer Public Schools music programs returns in September, with a big change.
On Music Day, hundreds of high school students go door to door in their neighborhoods, dressed in performance gear, requesting donations and returnable bottles/cans to support their school music programs.
The Saturday event has been a Salem-Keizer tradition since the mid-1990s.
This year, the event will be held over four Saturdays.
The change was made due to scheduling conflicts with some schools, district spokesman Aaron Harada said.
Funds are collected through the music/booster organizations and are used to help pay for travel, competitions, uniforms, instrument repairs and workshops. It’s the high schools’ biggest music fundraiser.
“It’s a big deal for us,” said Chantele Ngin, with West Salem High School’s Band Boosters.
“It funds all of the things the school district does not fund, like bus travel, if we hire any type of clinicians that come in and work with our students. It helps cover entrance fees for our marching band and color guard for competitions, all kind of stuff.”