For over 60 years, ABOB has been financially supporting the Instrumental Music programs of the Alton Community Unit School District #11.  Our focus is ensuring that music education is accessible to all, particularly those for whom participation would normally be cost-prohibitive.  Over 25% of our local community is at or below the poverty level and we take pride in providing support to students for whom the ability to learn music and play an instrument would otherwise not be possible.  Unfortunately, due to COVID, almost all our fundraising events for the last two years have had to be canceled.  As a result, and for the first time in many years, we have had to cut our budget, reducing the amount of financial support that we are able to provide to students, their families, and our music educators.

On Saturday, April 9, 2022, we are holding our “Music Matters” Benefit Auction. In the past, this event has been an in-person dinner auction that provides a sizeable boost to our budget.  Proceeds are used to pay for the purchase and repair of instruments and accessories, competition fees, travel expenses, scholarships, and special instruction throughout the year. With COVID continuing to be a challenge for in-person gatherings, we have made the decision to hold a virtual auction instead.  We know that having the event only virtually will decrease the amount we typically bring in, since we will not have the income from dinner reservations.  So, it is more important than ever that the auction be successful.  As such, we are seeking any donations of products, tickets, certificates, or other items that we can auction.   Would you consider helping support our event?

It is through the generous support of our community and businesses like you that the Alton School District continues to have a quality instrumental music program.  We greatly appreciate your support in this endeavor.  Please know that any donation, no matter the size, makes a difference and helps us get closer to our goal. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request and I look forward to hearing from you soon.