{"id":98205,"date":"2020-02-07T00:26:01","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T05:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=98205"},"modified":"2020-02-07T00:26:01","modified_gmt":"2020-02-07T05:26:01","slug":"10th-annual-high-notes-gala-set-for-saturday-march-21-2020-a-festive-evening-and-inspiring-student-production-at-miller-symphony-hall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=98205","title":{"rendered":"10th Annual HIGH NOTES Gala Set for Saturday, March 21, 2020 – A FESTIVE EVENING AND INSPIRING STUDENT PRODUCTION AT MILLER SYMPHONY HALL"},"content":{"rendered":"

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February 5, 2020, Allentown, PA \u2013 Come out and support the Allentown School District Foundation on March 21 while enjoying a fabulous dinner of foods near and far while experiencing the creative energy of 120 Allentown students representing 51 countries. Be a part of the 10th<\/sup> Annual HIGH NOTES Gala. <\/strong>The event is fun, and features an international buffet style dinner and an exciting student production. This year the theme proves we are \u201call in\u201d for Allentown\u2019s students!<\/p>\n

In the 2018-2019 school year, 10,726 Allentown School District students were able to participate in positive educational programs that, without the support of donors to the Allentown School District Foundation (ASDF), would not have been possible.\u00a0 It is said every year: If you could help Allentown students experience academic, athletic and cultural activities many of us take for granted, wouldn\u2019t you want to help?\u00a0 Those \u201cAll in for Allentown\u201d are All in for a Good Time!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

How Gala Proceeds Are Used in ASD Secondary Schools<\/strong><\/p>\n

–Verbatims from Performing Arts, Dance and Music Teachers– <\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u201cI use the jazz band proceeds on music for future performances as well as basic instrumental needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013Allen Band Director<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u201cInstrument repairs, summer workshops for the Drum Majors, instrument purchases & accessory purchases (mouthpieces, reeds), sheet music purchases, marching band assistant salaries (Drum tech, drill writer), prop expenses,\u00a0 supplement for student event costs ‘scholarship assistance’, busing costs for extra events not covered by the school.\u00a0 Thanks for your help with all of this.\u00a0 We could not function properly without it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2013Dieruff Band Director<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u201cWe have used proceeds to cover the costs of rights and royalties (usually around $2,500), costumes and\u00a0playbills to name a few.\u201d \u2013Dieruff Theatre Director<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u201cMoney has been used for:<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Professional Development *\u00a0\u00a0 Mic Packs and Headsets *\u00a0\u00a0 Stardrop Backdrop *\u00a0\u00a0 Costumes *\u00a0\u00a0 Props *\u00a0\u00a0 Field Trip *\u00a0\u00a0 Transportation to and from the FREDDYs *\u00a0\u00a0 Food to feed the cast *\u00a0\u00a0 Scrim *\u00a0\u00a0 Lights<\/p>\n

The money is used for many things and those needs change annually depending on the show we choose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013Allen Theatre Director<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u201cNew sound equipment for Allen as well as microphones for the Gala event.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014Allen Technical Director<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u201cI purchased a full-size touch-sensitive keyboard that I use when we perform at community functions.\u00a0 I also used it for bussing costs not covered by the district.\u201d<\/p>\n

— Dieruff Choir Director<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

For Trexler-Raub Combined Theater:<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0 Purchase of license and scripts for show<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0 Show needs: costumes, make-up, sets, programs, etc.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0 Lighting and\/or sound rental and\/or consultation<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0 Busing for students to and from Raub to participate in the joint theater program at Trexler Middle School<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0 Cast party, gifts, and t-shirts<\/p>\n

–Trexler-Raub Theatre Director<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u201cMost of the money goes towards our Community Service Trip, which this year will be a trip to Toronto, Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013Allen Choral Director<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Honorary Co-Chairs<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Allentown School District Foundation Board of Directors has named two very dedicated Allentown couples as co-chairs for this year\u2019s Gala.<\/p>\n

ANTHONY M. MUIR, ESQ., AND SARA \u201cJOJO\u201d MUIR<\/p>\n

Tony Muir, WAHS \u201962,<\/strong> is the Vice President of the Foundation and also serves as the Governance Chair. As a community volunteer, Tony presently serves as the President of the Muhlenberg College Board of Associates and has served as President of the Lehigh County Conference of Churches and Chair of the Second Harvest Food Bank Advisory Board. He helped to establish the Foundation\u2019s Volunteer Literacy Program and serves as a volunteer reader. He believes that literacy is the key to academic success. Before retiring, he was a partner in a law firm of Scoblionko, Muir, Bartholomew and Melman. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Hastings College of the Law at the University of California.<\/p>\n

JoJo Muir<\/strong> is currently a volunteer reader in a kindergarten class at Jackson Early Childhood Center. She has worked as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) and managed the Make Your Mark program of the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown at Sheridan Elementary. As the mother of a teacher at Dodd Elementary School, JoJo has a deep interest in the value of public education. In prior years, she volunteered with the Society of the Arts of the Allentown Art Museum and the Development Advisory Board of Mercy Special Learning Center. Her involvement with the district and community programs reflects her resolve to make a difference in the lives of students.<\/p>\n

Mr. and Mrs. Muir have three children and six grandchildren. The Muir\u2019s daughter, Liz China, is a special education teacher at Hiram Dodd Elementary School in Allentown.<\/p>\n

JOHN S. STEVENS, JR., D.O., AND ANITA STEVENS<\/p>\n

Dr. John Stevens, DHS \u201963,<\/strong> has served with distinction on the ASDF Board of Directors since 2014. He is a board-certified OB-GYN physician affiliated with St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network and is a member of the National Certifying Board for Obstetricians and Gynecologists. John has been a member of the Lehigh Valley Mental Health Intellectual Disabilities Advisory Board and the Dieruff High School Alumni Association as well as a volunteer for the Lehigh Valley Cancer Society. He obtained his bachelor degree in pharmacy from Temple University; his D.O. degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; and he serves as a clinical associate professor there as well as Lake Erie College and New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a proud Dieruff High School alumnus. His dedication to the Allentown School District is demonstrated by the continued investment he makes in ASDF initiatives.<\/p>\n

Anita Stevens, WAHS \u201963,<\/strong> dedicated her career to elementary education, and retired from Allentown School District after serving more than 30 years as a teacher at Lehigh Parkway Elementary School. Today, she is involved with both the Foundation and the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR) and she volunteers her time as a kindergarten reader, and also serves as a member of the ASDF Teacher Innovation Grant Committee. A graduate of William Allen High School, Anita obtained her education degree from Kutztown University. She remains dedicated to enriching the learning experiences for Allentown\u2019s students.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. and Mrs. Stevens have three children and nine grandchildren with a 10th<\/sup> on the way!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Show<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2020 theme is \u201cALL IN FOR ALLENTOWN.\u201d\u00a0 The 75-minute production is a showcase for the City\u2019s school spirit and the District\u2019s rich diversity. It will feature more than 120 students from William Allen High School, Louis E. Dieruff High School, and Trexler, Harrison-Morton, South Mountain, and Raub Middle Schools.\u00a0 Students unite to open and close the show while celebrating the diversity that makes up the Allentown School District.\u00a0 At the start of the show, this year Dieruff High School ROTC will present the colors, followed by two emcees from each high school providing welcoming remarks and introducing each act. The production is filled with short acts and music from Allentown\u2019s best student performance groups, including the Canary Cavaliers Jazz Band, the WAHS Dance Academy, Dieruff\u2019s Select Choir, Dieruff Jazz Band, WAHS Chorale and award-winning theatre students performing snippets from the 2020 spring musicals. Starting at 8:00 pm, the production includes excerpts from the high school and middle school spring musicals this year.<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Major Sponsors – <\/strong>(as of 1\/30\/20)<\/strong><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s gala is being made possible by the generous support of Air Products; Lehigh Gas Foundation; Alvin H. Butz, Inc.; Josh Early Candies; Firstrust Bank; Gallagher Insurance; Barry Isett & Associates; Lehigh Carbon Community College; Metro Design; Norris McLaughlin, PA; The Pidcock Company; Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd.; PPL Electric Utilities; PrintForce; June and Donald Hinkle; Sara \u201cJoJo\u201d and Anthony M. Muir, Esq.; Michele and Michael Pessina; Joseph Petro; Anita and John S. Stevens, Jr., D.O., and many others.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dinner by Red Door Catering<\/strong><\/p>\n

from Muhlenberg College<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Social Hour, The Lyric Room & Lobby: Doors Open 5:00-6:30 PM<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n