Annual CB Save The Music Concerts Will Be Virtual

DOYELSTOWN, PA —The Central Bucks School District and the CB Save the Music concert organizers have announced that the 18th Annual Save the Music benefit concerts will be virtual events held in May or early June of this year.

The annual concerts started small, but have grown into a two-day event with three concerts featuring nearly 30 professionals and almost 200 students performing. The theme of this year's event is "Hopes & Dreams," and it is expected to feature collaborative and individual performances by staff, students, alumni and friends.

Once again, all proceeds from the event will go to the national Save the Music Foundation, which contributes instruments, supports teachers and advocates for music education in communities that otherwise might struggle to sustain music programs.

On Facebook, local organizers explained why they believe it's important to help music programs in other communities.

"We are fortunate to be a part of a district with such an outstanding music program, and part of a community that embraces the arts. This concert is our way of giving back," organizers wrote.

In 17 years, the local Save the Music benefit concerts have raised nearly $250,00 for the Save the Music Foundation. In January 2020, the series of concerts titled "#Listen: The Decade In Review," raised over $48,000, exceeding the $40,000 needed to provide a core grant to "save the music" at a school in Newark, NJ.

However, with this year's concerts virtual, organizers won't have the benefit of revenue from ticket sales. So, they are looking for creative ways to raise funds, including through t-shirt sales and sponsorships by local businesses.

A grey "Hopes & Dreams" t-shirt is available for $20 through MyPaymentsPlus. The t-shirts will be delivered to the home school of any student, parent or staff member who orders. The deadline for ordering t-shirts is May 13.

Meanwhile, for $250, local businesses can sponsor the concert and get their logo printed on the back of the t-shirt and included in the concert video. Organizers said each participating business also will receive a dedicated shout out on the CB Save The Music social media accounts. The deadline for business sponsorships is May 14.

Organizers have said they will not come close to reaching the $48,000 they raised last year. But they have set a more modest fundraising goal of $10,000.

Details about how and when to view the concerts online will be available in mid-May, according to organizers. There also will be additional information about how individuals can donate to the cause.