Lynn school band ready for annual caroling fundraiser

LYNN – ‘Tis the season to support the Lynn Public School Band during their annual Christmas Caroling fundraiser, for all proceeds will benefit the band’s Senior Scholarship Fund.Band Director Eric Jefferson says the scholarship fund is one of the biggest retainers for keeping students in the band throughout high school.”It’s a way of rewarding them for their hard work,” said Jefferson. “The money is a big help for graduating seniors and goes towards expenses for their first year of college.”At the end of each school year, the Senior Scholarship fund is divided up amongst the band’s graduating seniors who will attend college the following year. Seniors with plans other than college may be eligible to receive a stipend.While various fundraising events throughout the year go towards the Senior Scholarship fund, Jefferson says the Christmas Caroling fundraiser is the biggest benefactor. “It’s been a very popular event in the past and we hope this year will be even better,” he said.For $25, the band will perform five to seven holiday tunes for each recipient and a greeting card will be provided to inform the recipient of who sent the gift.The band is currently taking reservations for performances to begin on Friday, Nov. 26 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 19. The band is available Friday and Saturday nights from 6-9 p.m. and Sunday afternoons from 3-6 p.m.Lynn Classical senior Corey Dubuisson plays the tenor saxophone for the band and has been a member since his freshman year. He says although performance nights are chilly, the band looks forward to the Christmas Caroling fundraiser each year.”It’s fun being able to entertain people,” said Dubuisson, who was unaware of the scholarship fund before he joined the band. “I joined because I love music, but the scholarship fund is definitely good motivation for staying committed,” he said.Dubuisson recently began the process for applying to colleges and hopes to study Sports Management at Endicott College in Beverly next fall.In years past, the scholarship fund has raised upwards of $1,500 per graduating senior.Lynn resident Alice Guiggio says the money that her granddaughter received from the scholarship fund upon graduating allowed her granddaughter to purchase books for her first year of college. “The band works hard during the year and is very dedicated,” said Guiggio. “The scholarship fund directly benefits the students and is a way of thanking them while also supporting their post-graduation plans from high school.”Junior at Essex Agricultural and Technical High School and band member Kyle McCollin says the Christmas Caroling fundraiser is “a great bonding experience” for the band. “Last year my trumpet froze solid after a couple of songs,” said McCollin. “We had to switch off performers so some people could sit in the cars and warm up their instruments. It was a team-building experience,” he said.Lynn English senior Cara Ducasse, a trombone player since the fifth grade, says despite the cold temperatures she enjoys performing during the Christmas Caroling event. “Some people know that we’re coming to perform and some don’t, but either way it’s a great feeling knowing that they appreciate what you’re doing and the practice that goes into it,” she said. Ducasse added that many of the homes in the past have offered snacks and hot chocolate to the band. “That’s always nice because it gets pretty cold,” she said.For booking information or to make a donation to the Lynn Public School Band’s Senior Scholarship Fund, please contact Teresa Murray at 781-598-4044 or the Lynn Fine Arts Department at 781-477-7458, ext. 2.