DULUTH EAST MUSIC BOOSTERS
Embedded Files
The Sterling Strings were featured on a Northern News Now story about the budget cuts:
Students and staff voice frustration about band cuts coming to Duluth schools
By Ryan Hayes
Published: Apr. 22, 2025 at 10:50 PM CDT
DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - The Duluth School Board room was packed with ‘Music Matters’ signs as students and staff expressed concerns over cuts coming to the band program.
Duluth School’s are planning to cut one full-time band position at both Ordean East and Lincoln Park Middle Schools.
Superintendent John Magas said making cuts like these is never an easy decision.
“Reductions like this are difficult but they’re unfortunately necessary,” said Magas.
He said they are especially necessary after Duluth voters said ‘no’ to May referendum that would have raised property taxes and given the district $5.2 million each year for the next 10 years.
The band cuts will cause the district to move from a co-teaching model, to a pull-out model. This means students will be pulled from other classes for individual and small group instruction.
Former Ordean East band teacher, Kevin Hoeschen, said this model is bad for students.
“With the pull out model, you’re taking students from other classes, they’re missing other instructional time, you don’t know which students will be able to make it that day,” said Hoeschen.
Hoeschen called on district leaders to go to a current class that employs the co-teaching model to see it action.
“I really hope that the administration, and the school board members will go to the middle schools and talk to the teachers, and observe that wonderful, wonderful co-teaching model,” said Hoeschen.
While many had words against the move at Tuesday’s meeting, Duluth East’s ‘Sterling Strings,’ performed a musical protest against the cut.
Others at the meeting expressed concerns that the increased need for private instruction will create an inequitable situation for those who can’t afford lessons.
Magas said he is working hard to make the best decision for students.
“We really hope that our community in the future will take this into consideration when considering future referendums.”
He added that many surrounding districts use the pull-out model, and said while he sees the value in the co-teaching model, it is costly for the district.
“I would urge our taxpayers to consider this, because I think when they voted against the referendum, I don’t know if they were necessarily fully considering that we would have to make really difficult budget choices, and now people are upset wondering why are we having to make these choices and we clearly said there would be tough choices ahead,” said Magas.
The district is expected to finalize next year’s budget in June.
Music Programs at the Duluth Public Schools Need Your Help
If you value music in your public school, we are asking community members, parents, students and teachers to show your support for music!
How?
Please, if you have not already shared your story, send an email to our school board:
Has music had a positive impact on you and your family?
Have changes in the music program impacted your student?
Has your family come to Duluth schools from another school to have access to music?
Whatever your story is, if you want to share it, email the school board at schoolboard@isd709.org.
Budget restrictions and changes are having an impact on the success and quality of our music programs. Our goal is to show our school board that music is valued by our community and it needs to be funded in the schools to ensure programs successfully function now and in the future.
A community meeting was held in early April to discuss what our music programs need to succeed and whether those needs were being met.
The following issues were identified as areas that need attention:
Middle School Music
Programs at the middle school level require instruction on two levels, large group and individual instrument.
This requires two teachers for programs such as band and orchestra in order to meet the needs of every student.
For those programs that do not have individual instrument instruction, the burden falls on parents to pay for private lessons. This is not equitable for all students to succeed in music. Middle school instruction directly impacts the success of high school music programs and the level of music they can instruct.
Newly Required Classes
Recent additions in required classes at the high school level have meant that the promise of more freedom of elective options is not met. Music and language students are heavily impacted by this change.
Direct Impact
If you or your family have been directly impacted or want to share your experience, attend the meeting, write an email to our school board so they are aware of the importance of funding music and the impact of changes happening in the schools.
WHO ARE THE DULUTH EAST MUSIC BOOSTERS?
If you have children in music groups, YOU ARE! The Duluth East Music Boosters (DEMB) aim is to assist the band, choir and orchestra directors so that they may focus more on our students and create great music. We help with many of the non-musical aspects of the music program like selling tickets, chaperoning, and planning fundraisers, including the music department’s Á La Carte Concert held annually in December. In addition, we offer financial assistance with departmental needs, helping students attend educational trips and the All-State program, funding a music scholarship to an outstanding graduating senior, and supporting instrument purchase and repairs. Finally, we e-mail announcements of upcoming concerts and volunteer opportunities. Please fill out the form below to join the mailing list!
VOLUNTEER
VOLUNTEER
Throughout the year there will be many opportunities to volunteer. Shortly before events take place, the DEMB will be emailing a link to a website (Signup.com) where you can sign up to volunteer. We need help with ticket sales, ushering, etc. The donation of your time eases the pre-concert burdens of the music directors and is greatly appreciated.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Our primary fundraiser is the Á la Carte Concert in every December. However, contributions to the DEMB are always welcome, and all monies go directly to supporting the music program at East High School. To donate, please see the link below, look for opportunities at concerts, and on Give to the Max Day. Donations are tax deductible. Thank YOU!
MONTHLY MEETINGS
MONTHLY MEETINGS
All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend the monthly DEMB meetings! The DEMB generally meets with the music directors the first Monday evening each month for approximately an hour. If you have any questions and/or are willing to participate, please attend the meetings and/or contact us at demboosters@gmail.com. Please join us!
FUTURE DULUTH EAST MUSIC BOOSTERS MEETINGS
All meetings take place at 6:45pm in the Choir Room at Duluth East High School:
2025
May 5
want to keep informed about the music program?
want to keep informed about the music program?
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the latest news about about the Duluth East Music Program:
DONATE TODAY!
DONATE TODAY!
Duluth East Music Boosters serves to support and expand band, choir, and orchestra programs for Duluth East High School students and concert attendees. We support musical education and performance, leadership, and community-building through musical opportunities for recreation, fellowship, and individual and community welfare.
Duluth East Music Boosters funds All-State student scholarships, instrument upkeep and overhauls, senior recognition, and special requests from the music directors. We support students with scholarships for group tours and retreats.
Our purpose is to advance the presence of quality music in our community and nurture life-long appreciation for the power of music in our lives.
Upcoming Performances
Upcoming Performances
2025
May 16 ~ 5pm
Sterling Strings (Coppertop Church)
May 19 ~ 7pm
Orchestra Spring Concert (Auditorium)
May 20 ~ 7pm
Choir Final Concert (Weber Hall, UMD)
May 22 ~ 7pm
Band Pops Concert (Auditorium)
May 27 ~ 7pm
Jazz Concert (Location TBD)
June 1 ~ 7pm
Choir Spring Concert (Auditorium)
June 4 ~ 6pm
Commencement (Symphony Orchestra)
VIEW PAST PERFORMANCES OF 2024/25
October 10
Collaboration with Denfeld and CSS on Vivaldi’s Gloria @CSS can be viewed here
October 24
University of Minnesota Duluth Honor Orchestra can be viewed here
November 6
Orchestra Cafe Concert can be viewed here
December 3
A La Carte Music Department Concert an be viewed here
January 24
Sterling Strings Fundraiser Concert can be viewed here
March 13 ~ 7pm
Orchestra Concert can be viewed here
March 21 ~ 5:30pm
Jazz Concert can be viewed here
JAZZ BAND CONCERT
JAZZ BAND CONCERT
Under the direction of Jonathan Grimsby, the Duluth East Jazz Band performed at the Dovetail Cafe on the evening of March 21, 2025 in Duluth, Minnesota.
SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA CONCERT
SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA CONCERT
Under the direction of Byron Klimek, the Duluth East Orchestra's perform the Symphonic Orchestra Concert in the Myers-Wilkins Auditorium on March 13, 2025.
STERLING STRINGS FUNDRAISER CONCERT
STERLING STRINGS FUNDRAISER CONCERT
STERLING STRINGS FUNDRAISER CONCERT
STERLING STRINGS FUNDRAISER CONCERT
🎻✨ The Duluth East High School Annual Sterling Strings Fundraiser concert was an amazing success!
Please view the concert and DONATE HERE & designate your donation to "Sterling Strings"✨🎻
GIVE TO THE MAX 2024
GIVE TO THE MAX 2024
Click here to support our talented musicians at Duluth East.
Support through RaiseRight
Support through RaiseRight
The Duluth East Music Boosters are fundraising for instrument overhaul and scholarships for group tours. You can support these efforts by paying for your daily purchases with gift cards. Gift cards are also great holiday gifts. Order digital eGift cards or have physical cards sent to your home.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Download the RaiseRight app (Apple or Google) on your phone or sign up on RaiseRight.com
Create a user name (email) and password
The code to raise money for DEMB: FM61WEGVILGF
You will only need to enter this the one time.Link a debit card/bank account to this so you can receive the eGift cards.
Tip: Choose the eGift cards as they can be used immediately and are stored in the app on your phone. They would also arrive in an email on your phone.
Easy gifting with eGift cards
HOW TO GIFT THEM
eGift cards are the convenient way to earn on all your gifting. They’re immediately sent to your account, so you don’t have to wait for them to arrive or worry about any shipping delays.
Save to print or send yourselfSend an eGift card online (available on RaiseRight.com only)
At checkout, select the box next to “Make this a gift?”
Add a personal message and enter the recipient’s contact information
Pay using your linked bank account or credit card, and instantly send or schedule the eGift card for delivery
The recipient will get an email with a link to view and print their eGift card
Save to print or send yourself
Purchase an eGift card on RaiseRight.com or in the mobile app
Go to your Wallet
Select the eGift card you are gifting, then:
On RaiseRight.com, click the print icon or select File > Export as PDF
to save it to print or attach to an email later, or;
In the RaiseRight mobile app, tap Use Card and take a screenshot to
print, text, or email as an attachment
Tip: This is a great option for any last-minute gifting needs.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse