by 
Music Moves Me Musical Instrument Drive
The Bellingham Public Schools Foundation, music educators from Bellingham Public Schools, parents, alumni, and friends in the music community held a musical instrument drive and fundraiser, Music Moves Me…, on June 6th. Over 60 instruments were donated from members of the community including saxophones, flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, French horns, a full drum kit, violins, a cello, mandolins, an electric accordion, several electric keyboards, guitars, and various percussion instruments.
The event raised $3,000 for the Ray Downey Band Fund which will be used to provide additional instructors for 6th grade band classes in the first 8 to 10 weeks of the school year, helping students succeed with their chosen instrument. This fund was established in honor of local saxophonist, composer, arranger and master teacher Ray Downey, who passed away this past December.
Sponsors of this event included 92.9 KISM, Boundary Bay Brewery, Sparrow Salon, Guardian Security, WECU, and RDS Disposal. Iron Street Printing donated proceeds from t-shirt sales and provided volunteer, musician and staff event shirts. Additional funding came from Bellingham High School Band Boosters and The Bellingham High School Alumni Band. Entertainment was provided by the Bellingham High School Drum Line, The Kulshan Middle School Thunderbird Jazz Ensemble, Scott Less of 92.9 KISM, Actionesse, The Naughty Blokes, and Black Beast Revival.
The next event to raise funds for the Ray Downey Band Fund, will take place July 25th at Boundary Bay Brewery featuring The Atlantics, The Bellingham High School Alumni Band and The Bellingham Youth Jazz Band.
Additional instrument donations or monetary gifts may be made to the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation, 1306 Dupont St., Bellingham.
