Academy Steel Drum Band wraps up school year with fund-raiser at Chick-fil-A
A group of talented young musicians from North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts ended their school year by raising funds for next year’s music programs.
Several members of the academy’s Steel Drum Band performed to raise funds at Chick-fil-A on Pine Island Road with proceeds to benefit next year’s steel band.
Proceeds from the evening (20 percent) will directly benefit the students and the band program at NFMAA. Funds are used to maintain the steel drums, purchase the mallets, music they use to play on the drums, and their Caribbean attire.
“They’ve been everywhere,” said academy Principal Dr. Douglas Santini of the steel drum group. “They’ve done 38 performances this year, one for the Commissioner of Education Eric Smith. They have been in many civic functions and even weddings, and competed in Orlando at the Universal Music Festival where they received first place.”
It was an excellent year for the group, he said.
“We’ve looking forward to next year.”
Sue Sommer is the business teacher at the academy, and her son, Adam, Sommer has been involved with the Steel Drum Band for the last three years.
“It’s been an incredible experience for him,” she said. “When he first came to the school he found music, loves music and he’s naturally good at it. He was with three different bands at the school, played the steel drum and trumpet.”
He’ll be moving onto high school next year in Estero, taking his love of music with him, she said.
Maiya Christensen, academy school nurse, also has a son, Bryan Christensen, who has been playing in the Steel Drum Band for the last three years.
“As a parent, the steel drums offer a creative outlet for my child,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to express himself and create something others can enjoy and appreciate.”
It taught him much more she could have anticipated, she continued.
“He has learned to become a leader as well as work well with others as a team, to be self-confident, and it has helped him with public speaking.”
Bryan talked about what he liked about the band, and what was special about it.
“Steel drums are different than any other musical instrument,” he said. “It’s a different art that most schools don’t have and I get to be part of something special.”
Christina Moffat is the academy’s band director, and directed the group at the fund raiser.
“These were the eighth grade students who performed,” she said. “This type of event gives the kids an opportunity to perform in a setting they wouldn’t get in school. With the Steel Drum Band they get to play a variety of different music – from Latin to Caribbean to reggae – and to perform in different settings.”
Steel drum players at fund raiser included Adam Sommer, Bryan Christensen, Kristen Stickney, Cameron Swartz, Austin Wiegers, Edgar Davila, Stephen Francey and Nick Chambers.
The event was organized through Assistant Principal Wes Moreland and Veronica Martin, school partnership coordinator for Chick-fil-A.
“We’re all about getting involved with the community,” Martin said. “We like to find ways to give back. We’ve established partnerships with over 30 schools.”
A Cape resident, as school partnership coordinator she’s in contact with over 30 local schools and coordinates fund raisers there. Some are in North Fort Myers like the Academy, and some are from Cape Coral.
“This type of event gives the students the opportunity to raise funds for their schools,” she said. “They bring their friends and families and we give a percentage of sales to them.”
She said Chick-fil-A has had kid’s activities every week during Family Nights, which are Tuesdays from 5 to 8 p.m.
“We will also host ‘Cow Appreciation Day’ on Friday, July 2,” she said. “It’s a fun event. Go to our website to learn more.”
For school partnership information, call Martin at 242-8748 or e-mail veronica@martindsn.com.