Pomona Unified Band Members Surprised with $45,000 in Donated Instruments

Nearly 100 band members from Pomona Unified’s high schools and middle schools were surprised with $45,000 in musical instruments – from oboes and saxophones to string basses and chrome chimes ­– that they will use during their impressive performances, including at their next big showcase, Pomona Day at the Los Angeles County Fair at Fairplex in September.

Thanks to a partnership between entertainment company Live Nation and Fairplex, more than 20 instruments were donated to band students at Diamond Ranch, Pomona, Garey and Ganesha high schools, Fremont Academy, and Lorbeer, Emerson and Simons middle schools during a surprise ceremony on July 30 at Diamond Ranch High School.

“We are grateful to these two great partners for providing our students with this much-needed equipment, enabling us to bolster our music and arts programs and inspire students to pursue their creative talents,” said Board of Education President Andrew Wong. “We look forward to hearing the wonderful music they’ll be playing with these new instruments.”

The donation was made to underscore the importance of preserving music programs in public schools, according to Dale Coleman, a Pomona High School alum and Vice President of Business Growth and Development at Fairplex who coordinated the donation.

Donated instruments include violins, bell stands, standard basses, clarinets and trombones.

“Music is a passion of these students and it’s such an important fabric of society and our culture,” said PUSD Superintendent Richard Martinez. “We are honored to be the recipients of this generous donation of instruments, many of which are unique and expensive, but essential for our band programs to continue growing and thriving.”