Peninsula's Music Programs Turning Up the Volume to Win Big Money

’s music programs spend a lot of time performing for the community.

Now they need the community’s help.

With a YouTube recording of Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World,” the Seahawks’ band program is trying to win $10,000 in the fifth-annual The Rock Wood Fired Pizza & Spirits Battle of the Bands, co-sponsored by KZOK 102.5 FM and Comcast Xfinity.

The competition invites local high-school bands from Washington and Oregon to participate in an online and on-air contest to see who can get the most votes via text message.

“It’s a song that we know that’s in our pep band for football games,” explained of his group’s selection. “It’s pretty in line with classic rock, which is what KZOK plays.”

Meanwhile, Peninsula’s Performing Arts Department as a whole is hoping to win between $10,000-$50,000 in the “Glee” Give a Note online competition, which is awarding $1 million in prize money to music programs in jeopardy across the United States.

The department created a video that demonstrates its need – and showcases its talent.

Choir director Alison Ellis said the money would go toward a “desperately needed” makeover of the school’s auditorium, which the band, choir and drama department use. Among its shortcomings are outdated sound and lighting systems.

“It doesn’t show our students off to their best advantage,” Ellis said. “They’ll work hard to put a performance together, and the microphone will cut out, or the sound will come on too loud, or the lights go off.”

Ehli summed up the general feeling about the chance to win money for Peninsula’s programs: “It’s really cool.”

THE BAND

Ehli already knows what he would spend the money on: Upgrading and repairing instruments. While many students rent or own theirs, the school provides larger instruments, including tubas, baritone saxophones, percussion and amps.

“There are a lot of things that go into running a band program,” he said. “We have a lot of travel expenses for competitions, uniforms, maintenance – some of the music is older than I am, and it would be nice to replace it.”

With between 85-90 students enrolled between three band classes – the Symphonic Band recorded the video – Ehli said that he runs an active program.

“We do a lot of performing in parades and concerts," he said, "so to create a really positive experience for our students, it’s really important to get funding.”

Text voting runs from Nov. 14 to Dec. 2, and the top 10 will be announced on the air on Dec. 5. A panel of celebrity judges will then rank the finalists based on quality of musicianship; originality of arrangement and song choice; technical ability; and overall performance. In addition to the grand prize, three divisional winners will each receive $1,000.

Click here for information on the contest.

Ehli admitted there are things he would like to do with the band program, but that fiscal limitations get in the way. Still, he said, “We have supportive families and a supportive administration. (Principal) Tim Winter is as supportive of the arts as anyone I’ve ever met.

“But it is still hard, because everyone is affected by the fiscal environment.”

Regardless of finances, “the kids are excited. They love the band program, and it helps that we do a lot of cool stuff. We do enjoyable and educational stuff, and the kids are drawn to that.”

THE PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT

As of Sunday evening, Peninsula had 1,664 votes, which puts it squarely in the middle of the pack of the standings in the “Glee” contest. But that isn’t good enough – only the top 500 entries (100 from each of the five regions) continue on to the final judging phase by a panel of music-education professionals from across the nation.

There are three grand prizes of $50,000; 10 first prizes of $25,000; and 60 second prizes of $10,000.

Voting runs through Nov. 7, and you can vote once a day. Registration is not required.

Ellis said the money would benefit the school in general – not just the choir.

“If we were to be selected for the grant, the first step would be lighting and sound, which is a $20,000 investment, and if we get a larger piece, we would use it to build up our individual programs,” she said.

She added that the number of students in Peninsula’s choir program has tripled since she took over the program at the beginning of the school year.There are more than 64 students enrolled between the Concert Choir and the school’s new Show Choir, which she described as “ ‘Glee’-esque.”

“I am trying to build a program and hope to make it as amazing as the band has been so we can have a phenomenal music department,” she said.

The Show Choir, which has about 25 students, would especially benefit from a renovated performance space, for which the school has already begun the process of raising money. A complete makeover would be at least $100,000.

“They need to be able to perform solos and things like that,” she said.

Either way, she said, “The Performing Arts Department is on its way back up. We are revitalizing the department, so any money we can get would be fabulous – and any votes would help.”