Students Organize Jazz Concert to Bring Back Cut Programs

Westhampton Beach sophomore Luke Jurow and junior Riley Owens decided that they weren't going to sit back when they learned that the Westhampton Beach School District, due to budget restraints, opted to cut two school jazz band groups.

Instead, they decided to step up and do something about it. For the past several months, they have been working to organize a free concert that they hope will raise enough funds to bring the bands back.

The concert, which is set for Friday at 7 p.m. at the , said the students, will raise money through a Chinese Auction and donations.

Jurrow and Owens are looking to garner at least $1,200 to bring back the high school advanced Jazz Band for the current school year. And whatever extra they raise, they said, will go toward reinstating the middle school jazz band, which was also cut.

The school board, says the students, is in support their efforts and have indicated a possibility of bringing back the programs next year.

"It was always our idea to do a benefit concert for something that we are passionate about," said Owens, who plays the guitar, sings and hopes to attend Cornell to study music.

Jurow, who plays guitar and piano and also hopes to study music in college, said organizing the event has been a big job.

Together the musicians, ventured to local businesses asking for Chinese auction donations — priding themselves on scoring a Coach bag —  they lobbied teachers and fellow students to volunteer to perform in the concert, and coordinated a stage crew and sound technicians.  They also worked to market their event, printing up fliers and signs, posting them around the school.

With some ten groups slated to perform, "the concert," said Christopher Herr, principal of Westhampton Beach High School," is going to rock."

For more information on the free concert event, click here. Send donations to the Hurricane Educational Foundation and mailed to Jazz Benefit, Care of Hurricane Foundation 340 Mill Road, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978.