La Plata Business Association awards CCPS $36,500 for fine and performing arts programs

St. Charles, MD- On Nov. 7, the St. Charles High School Spartones a cappella group gathered to put on a special performance at the Charles County Public Library in La Plata. The Spartones, along with members of the St. Charles Chamber Choir, performed for members of the La Plata Business Association (LPBA) to demonstrate the talents of Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students. In turn, the Association presented the students with a check for $36,500.

The funds will support all CCPS fine and performing arts programs. This is the fifth consecutive year that the association has donated its profits from the annual Rocktoberfest to support CCPS. “Over the past five years, we have donated nearly $90,000 to Charles County Public Schools,” Sara Payne, member of the LPBA Board of Directors, said. This year’s donation is the largest to date and was raised from the Oct. 6 Rocktoberfest held in downtown La Plata.

“2018 was the fifth anniversary for Rocktoberfest. It started as an idea from Keith Grasso of Island Music. He wanted to bring the community together through music and benefit the children in music and fine arts programs in the public school system,” Payne said.

During the check presentation, Superintendent Kimberly Hill talked about the importance of community and performing arts. “This is what a community is about … it brings people together and these kids are the direct benefit of that. With teachers like Mr. Kuhn, this is what kids can do. Music is central in a lot of what we do,” Hill said.

The funding will help to support several initiatives including securing professional clinicians to meet and work with students on special projects, community performances and iPads for use with the implementation of SmartMusic software. SmartMusic is used in all instrumental and vocal music classes for students in Grades 5-12.

The donation will also provide for additional equipment for multi-media classes, such as video cameras and tripods, the expansion of student art displays featured in Charles County and additional supplies for teachers.