Supporters of Culver City Middle School are urging people throughout Culver City to cast their vote for Culver City Middle School’s “Glee! Give a Note” video submission as part of an arts-based grant competition. The winning submission will win $50,000 for music education at their school.
“Your neighbors and friends can vote,” said parent Diana Kunce. “Your Facebook contacts can vote. The more votes, the better chances of Culver City Middle School winning a $50,000 grant to benefit music programs at the school.”
To vote, go to gleegiveanote.com/vote_details.php?id=414. Anyone can vote, but only one vote can be cast each day. Voting ends Nov.7.
The two-minute CCMS video submission shows how diverse and special the program is, including great moments of inspired teaching, strong voices and humorous surprises. The students come from different social groups, but find their voices – individually and collectively, and a community with which to belong.
The Panther Partners After-School Theatre Arts program has created a community where kids feel safe to express themselves. Notably, 40% of the students enrolled are on scholarships. Since the program relies entirely on parent volunteers, donations and grants, every penny counts. The $50,000 Glee! grant would allow the program to continue. In addition, awarded funds would go to help support the Culver City Middle School music program offered as part of the curriculum.
“We have a small yet very mighty community that can make a remarkable difference in the lives of our students,” Kunce said. If everyone in Culver City voted just once, Kunce noted, “we could win money to not only benefit theatre arts and but also our essential music programs.”
Twentieth Century Fox Entertainment has partnered with Ryan Murphy, the creator of “Glee!” and The National Association for Music Education to establish the campaign in order to donate $1 million to school arts programs nationwide.
CCMS is competing against 90 other schools in the Pacific region.
An extended, high-quality version of the CCMS video submission and a link to the Glee! website can be found at ccmsmusicaltheatre.com.
