Borer Orchestrates $8,000 Donation For Carrigan, Bailey Music Departments

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — For the second consecutive year, West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer has orchestrated a sizable donation for a pair of school music departments.

On Monday, Borer and mayor’s office volunteer Beth Sabo presented a $4,000 check at City Hall to Carrigan Intermediate School Principal Rich Weber and band director Matt Lupoli and a $4,000 check to Bailey Middle School Principal Taryn Driend and band director Rachel Mekeel to buy new instruments for music students.

The $8,000 donation, in the form of ceremonial oversize checks, was made possible by the proceeds of discounted tickets from the New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Extravaganza concert.

At the check presentation, Weber and Lupoli thanked Borer and said they plan to use the money to purchase new instruments and refurbish older ones.

Driend and Mekeel, who were equally grateful to the mayor, said they plan to use the money to buy a bass clarinet and a tuba for the band’s repertoire.

On Dec. 19, a sold-out crowd of more than 600 packed the state-of-the-art West Haven High School auditorium to see the spectacular holiday concert, performed by the symphony for the second straight year.

The benefit concert, paid for by an arts grant, was once again presented by Borer, who greeted the all-ages crowd and even played a bell instrument on a Christmas classic.

Highlights included music from “The Polar Express,” “Home Alone,” “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and “Sleigh Ride,” as well as a visit from Santa Claus.

The West Haven High chorus, directed by Jason Thomas, also performed with the symphony, led by principal pops conductor Chelsea Tipton II.

Before the concert, Bailey band members entertained concertgoers in the lobby.

Sabo said it took a village to organize the Holiday Extravaganza — and the school community did not disappoint.

Chorus members served as ushers, she said, and Carrigan band members and their parents handed out programs and song sheets to the crowd.

“Their collective efforts helped make the night a resounding success,” Borer said.

PHOTO CAPTION — Bailey Middle School Principal Taryn Driend and band director Rachel Mekeel, left, and Carrigan Intermediate School Band director Matt Lupoli and Principal Rich Weber, right, receive oversized $4,000 checks for new musical instruments from West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer, center left, and mayor’s office volunteer Beth Sabo at City Hall on Monday. The $8,000 donation was made possible by the proceeds of discounted tickets from the New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s sold-out Holiday Extravaganza concert, which was presented by Borer’s arts initiative in the West Haven High School auditorium Dec. 19. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)