Schools

Walnut High Orchestra Receives Donation

The following news release is courtesy of the Walnut Valley Unified School District.

Walnut High parent Betty Tang beamed as she described the donation of several orchestra instruments on September 27.

Cecilio Instruments of Rancho Cucamonga presented 14 cellos, 10 violas, and two basses valued over $41,800 to the school during a reception.

“Thank you for this event here today. It was my honor to have Board Member Phillip Chen help me coordinate this donation during the past three months,” Tang said. She is currently serving her third term as president of the school’s Chinese American Parent Association (CAPA.)

"I am grateful for this partnership with Cecilio Instruments that will continue to support music in our schools," said Board Member Phillip Chen.

Several members of parent organizations CAPA, Korean American Parent Association (KAPA), Diamond Youth Symphony Orchestra, school administrators and orchestra members and parents were on hand for the special donation reception.

“We can’t wait to try out these new instruments,” said Orchestra Director Dr. Buddy Clements.

“These instruments will allow us to be able to continue to grow our program and give our kids one more opportunity that wasn’t here yesterday,” said Principal Jeff Jordan.

“We appreciate the commitment, partnership, and on behalf of our kids and directors they really appreciate all the dedication,” he said.

“Today it is my honor to introduce my friends Kristy Wu and Kenneth Khuong,” Tang said.

“I believe that music in our schools is very important. Unfortunately budget cuts have impacted music programs. As a token of our appreciation and support from the community, we will try our best to continue to help support the program,” said Kristy Wu, founder of Cecilio Instruments.

“We are thrilled because the Diamond Youth Symphony with Mrs. Pak’s and Mrs. Cheng’s leadership was able to secure a donation from Cecilio Instruments so that many of our students that don’t have an instrument will have one to play now,” said Band Director Corey Wicks.

“And we’ll also be able to create new opportunities for students to learn to play that haven’t have that opportunity before. We’re incredibly grateful to these groups,” he said.

The young musicians assembled, under the direction of Dr. Clements to play “Hoe Down” in the state-of-the art building completed last fall. Then they enjoyed a pizza lunch courtesy of the parent organization.

“I’m so excited even though I don’t get to play these,” said a Walnut High obo player. “I’m so excited for everybody,” he said.


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