Music grant gets standing ovation throughout Watertown

Music Drives Us awards $10,000 grant; Ernie Boch Jr. to visit Watertown High on March 30

Sara Patashnick — who teaches music at Hosmer Elementary School in Watertown — poses with some of the instruments purchased with the recent grant from Music Drives Us.

Sarah Greim, Raider Times staff
March 29, 2016

    Maybe you’ve heard his popular jingle over the radio. Maybe you’ve heard his name through buying your latest automobile. Or … maybe you’ve just received a grant from him.

    The man I am referring to is none other than Ernie Boch Jr.! Boch is the president of Boch Enterprises and the founder of Music Drives Us Foundation. Recently, Boch and Music Drives Us gave Watertown Public Schools a generous sum of $10,000. This fund covers all schools in the Watertown district, further opening opportunities and doors for young musicians. The grant was arranged through the help of Friends of Watertown Music.

Dan Wulf -- who teaches math, music, and chorus at Watertown High School -- poses with some of the instruments purchased with the recent grant from Music Drives Us.
Dan Wulf — who teaches math, music, and chorus at Watertown High School — poses with some of the instruments purchased with the recent grant from Music Drives Us.

 

      This money is being utilized well. The school has already purchased two bass clarinets, a baritone saxophone, an electronic keyboard, 12 pre-tuned hand drums, along with a portable electronic keyboard with amp and accessories. In addition to this, various instruments were given much needed repairs. The remainder of the grant will continue to be spent wisely on various other musical needs.

This is not the first time Music Drives Us has helped in Watertown. In October 2013, Dan Jordan’s guitar class at Watertown High was given four new guitars.

     The music department at Watertown Public Schools is immensely grateful. The Watertown High School band will be expressing its thanks to boch when visits Wednesday, March 30. Boch will be coming to the high school to listen to the band perform two pieces that were performed a few weeks prior at Bandarama.

    The WHS musicians are anticipating this event.

     “I’m excited to show him what his generosity has done for our class,” said Watertown High junior Talene Pogharian.

    Overall, the funds donated by Ernie Boch Jr. will be greatly utilized, but more importantly, greatly appreciated!

 (For more information about Music Drives Us, go to http://www.musicdrivesus.org/. For More information about Friends of Watertown Music, go to https://watertownmusic.org/.)

Dan Jordan -- who teaches music throughout the Watertown Public School system -- poses with some of the instruments purchased with the recent grant from Music Drives Us.
Dan Jordan — who teaches music throughout the Watertown Public School system — poses with some of the instruments purchased with the recent grant from Music Drives Us.

–March 29, 2016–