Francis Dial, director of orchestras for the primary grades, stands beside a wooden cello rack donated by Friends of Music to safely store the students' valuable instruments at Stratford Avenue School. Through the efforts of their dedicated volunteers and generosity of their membership, the Garden City Friends of Music donated items and equipment to various schools throughout the district this past year. Friends of Music is a not-for-profit organization, whose sole purpose is to encourage Garden City music students and promote the music programs in schools. They raise funds through their annual membership drive and with popular flower sales before concerts at Stewart and Stratford Schools, the Middle School and the High School. Donations go directly back to the students in the form of equipment and program enhancements. The Friends of Music (FOM) also funds the music awards given at the end of the year, and sponsors the Annual Student Showcase Concert.

Do you enjoy the halftime show at home football games? Well, FOM rents the light towers that enable the Marching Band to hold practices in the evenings.

Stewart School Music teacher Mrs. Kelly Grace sits with students from Mrs. Joyce's third-grade class on new risers donated by the Friends of Music while they practice their recorders. The Friends of Music has been available to meet the needs of students that are not covered by the district's budget. They have been a constant presence in the Garden City School District for decades, and with your help student musicians will always have their support. Please consider volunteering some time to help Garden City Schools' Music program, and join them at their meetings. For further information, call Liz Colantonio at 248-8525.

They would like to share with the community some of their recent donations and thank those who have generously given their time and money to help students. Their annual fall membership drive is now in full swing. Donations can be made to: Garden City Friends of Music, PO Box 211, Garden City, NY 11530.

Nancy Keeman, director of Vocal Music at the Middle School, shows off her new Panasonic stereo system, made possible through donations to the Friends of Music. The system allows her to play prerecorded music to accompany her students both in the classroom and at concerts. Director of Middle School Bands, Mrs. Martha Boonshaft, and Assistant Director of Bands, Ms.Jen Iovino, love working with their new "Superscope" CD recording system for the band room. It is used every day in the classroom and has become a valuable piece of equipment for both faculty and student musicians.