Local High School Wins $20,000 Prize Package

Arroyo Valley High School announced that it has received a prize package from the Yamaha Quest for the Music Education online contest. The nation-wide contest awarded more than $100,000 in band and orchestral instruments and equipment to eight winning schools. For winning a first place prize of $20,000 in the high school category, Arroyo Valley High School selected four saxophones, a trombone and two cellos. The Quest for Music Education contest consisted of a series of online quests that covered a variety of topics, including Yamaha Artists, Yamaha Internships and Music Advocacy. The winning schools had the largest participation rate. Yamaha awarded three First Place prizes of $20,000 in instruments, three Second Place prizes of $10,000 in instruments, and two Third Place prizes of $5,000 in instruments. The awards were given in three categories: elementary/middle school, high school, and college/universities. “The new instruments will replace aging instruments and add additional resources for student musicians,” said music teacher Jennifer Belsey. “The Arroyo Valley High curriculum includes a focus on visual and performing arts and the school is always looking for ways to provide more students with opportunities to participate,” she said. Roger Eaton, Director of Marketing, Band & Orchestral Division, Yamaha Corporation of America, said “We experienced a wonderful participation rate for this contest and the winning schools were able to recruit students, parents, teachers and people in the community to stand up for music education.” List of Winners and Prizes Selected First Place: 1. Teasley Middle School, Canton, Georgia (two YBB-202MS B-flat tubas, two YCL-221II B-flat bass clarinets, one YHR-567 French horn) 2. Arroyo Valley High School, San Bernardino, California (YM1430C marimba, two YAS-26 alto saxophones, two YTS-26 tenor saxophones, YSL-448G trombone, two VC3544 cellos) 3. San Diego State University, California (six YBH-301M marching baritone horns) Second Place: 1. Somerset Canyons Middle School, West Boynton Beach, Florida (YBB-202MS tuba, CCH2 –two-tiered cymbal stand) 2. Round Rock High School, Round Rock, Texas (YHR-668NII French horn, YOB-441M oboe) 3. VanderCook College of Music, Chicago (YAS62III alto saxophone, YBL-830 XENO trombone) Third Place: 1. MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate School, Santa Ana, California (AVA5-140SK viola, YEP-201 euphonium) 2. Broad Run High School, Ashburn, Virginia (YEP-321 euphonium, YCL-255 clarinet, YPC-32 piccolo)