Submitted by Kari Stebbing
Music Director
The rim of the World High School

We are currently in desperate need of new instruments at all schools in the Rim of the World Unified School District. This has been a situation that has developed over time and is a result of age.
Typically, once a student-used instrument hits 10 years of age, it has reached the point of no return when it comes to repairs. We can consider instruments to be similar to cars in this way that, after 10 years, a car that is hardly used will often need a lot of repairs and even a new engine. At this point we must then look at whether it is worth replacing the engine or replacing the car – often they end up costing the same.
We see the same thing with older instruments: The cost of serious repair work costs much the same and sometimes more than the worth of the instrument itself.
Currently, at the high school, we are seeing our instruments hit the age of 15 years of age and even a few that are at the 20-year stage. It is time to replace them.
This concern has been brought to the attention of the school board and superintendent. I am very happy to say that they are in favor of supporting our instrumental music programs and are looking at assisting us in some way after the next board meeting to be held in October.
If you are interested in supporting the music program and advocating for new instruments, please consider attending the school board meeting on Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m. at the new Lake Gregory District Office.
We also accept donations to the program that can go a long way toward repairs and supplies for our music program. Please reach out to me at [email protected] if you are interested in helping in some way. Additionally, checks can be made to ROWUSD High School. Please put “Rim High Music Program” in the memo slot to ensure that it reaches us!
Another way to support our program is to come to our FREE concerts and listen to our beautiful music! Our winter concerts are as follows:

• Choir and orchestra – Dec. 15, 6 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, Rim of the World High School
• Rim bands concert – Dec. 16, 6 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, Rim of the World High School