The Morgan Park High School Band of Distinction is seeking community support to help fund a planned field trip to Jackson State University in Mississippi, according to a March 24 announcement. The fundraising effort comes after the band had to cancel recent trips due to financial constraints.
The initiative matters because more than 78 percent of students at the Far South Side high school come from low-income households, making it difficult for many families to afford travel and other extracurricular expenses. The new nonprofit organization formed by parents aims to ensure that all students have access to these important educational opportunities.
Band director Everett Newchurch said the upcoming Mississippi trip will allow students—who range from seventh through twelfth grade—to experience life on a college campus and interact with university musicians. “My students are going to interact with the college students, learning different techniques about music and trying to improve their techniques,” Newchurch said. “It’s going to be a college tour. A lot of our kids aren’t able to go and visit a college outside of the state of Illinois or sometimes out of the city. This is a great opportunity to go someplace where the atmosphere is a clean, good educating atmosphere.”
Carmen Holiday, community partnership coordinator with Band Parents of Morgan Park, said some students cannot afford the costs associated with travel. She estimated that $10,000-$20,000 would be needed for all interested students to attend this year’s Jackson State University trip. “Everybody’s situation is different,” Holiday said. “We have a lot of children, we have a lot of different backgrounds and a lot of different responsibilities and priorities financially.” Organizers set an overall fundraising goal this year at $50,000.
Previously planned trips—including one for Atlanta’s HBCU National Band and Orchestra Directors Consortium—were canceled due to lack of funds for transportation and lodging. Financial challenges also prevented participation in this year’s South Side Irish Parade—a tradition in past years.
Beyond supporting travel experiences like these, funds raised by the nonprofit will cover transportation costs, instrument maintenance, uniforms, equipment needs and other essentials so that all band members can participate fully regardless of their financial background.
Newchurch emphasized how much his students benefit from such opportunities: “If I don’t get others to try to help as far as donating and things like that, I feel like I am doing a disservice to the kids because I want them to see what the world has to offer,” he said.
Holiday noted her own daughter Victoria has grown through her involvement in band: “I’m seeing the leader in her come forward… She’s driven and she is very college-oriented because of band. It has encouraged her even more on the collegiate path.”
Community members interested in sponsoring or donating can find more information on Band Parents of Morgan Park’s LinkTree page.
