The St. Johns River City Band received a
$20,000 grant from the Duval County School Board at the band’s board meeting Thursday at The Seminole Club. School Superintendent John Fryer presented the check to the band’s representatives — Dick Brown, Neptune Beach mayor and president of the board, and Bobi McGinnis, executive director.
“We [the school system] always get beat up for not supporting the arts,” said Fryer. “But Tallahassee determines our budget. This year I convinced the School Board to give the arts the same amount as in previous years.”
According to Fryer, funds for all other school programs have been reduced because of State cutbacks.
The money will allow the band to perform at seven public schools and educate the students about musical instruments. At the end of the year, the band will also stage a concert for 3,500 at the Florida Theatre and, in the spring, will begin its Jazzing It Up initiative. .
To gauge the effectiveness of the music-in-school program, coupled with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra youth outreach program, the school system is conducting a five-year study comparing FCAT scores, disciplinary action and qualitative interviews with faculty members.