Dear Friends of Covina Concert Band,
Thank you for your continued interest in the success of Covina Concert Band. We are proud of our success. One source of that pride comes from knowing that we are not dependent on tax money, and that our primary support comes from patrons who are free to vote with their dollars for any organization they deem worthy. We are also blessed with our 64 year history with The City of Covina Parks and Recreation Department and their in-kind contributions; this is part of the Legacy of Charles King, founder of the band in 1956.
You may know of my thoughtful saying “In times of change some things need to stay the same”. This year many things, sadly, cannot stay the same.
The Band has entered a grand pause, a musical term created to silence the band for a short period of time in a music composition with the duration interpreted by the conductor. This time our grand pause duration is to be determined by the response to the coronavirus outbreak, not the conductor. However, this duration provides an opportunity for us to make improvements to the Band. Our musicians continue to improve their musicianship by practicing at home without our usual weekly Monday evening rehearsals. Perhaps the band and Twist of Orange, the swing band of Covina Concert Band, can resume normal operations in September.
The response to the coronavirus outbreak has resulted in the biggest disruption to life in America since World War II. Government officials have closed schools, churches, and shut down scheduled major events. The traditional Covina Concert Band events have been canceled. The annual Forest Lawn Memorial Day Observance and all events in Covina Park are canceled. The 4th of July Breakfast-With-The-Band, our pancake breakfast fund raiser, is canceled. The Band’s Thursday evening summer concerts in the park are canceled.
The cancellations cost Covina Concert Band dearly. Our musicians have not rehearsed as an ensemble for months; the missing comradeship has many of us disappointed and depressed. The summer evening events in Covina Park normally draw happy crowds that choose to support the Covina Concert Band Snack Bar, our main fundraiser. The Snack Bar income the Band depends on will not be coming in this summer.
Some things do stay the same: Our monthly overhead exists. Our Director/Conductor, Dan Glass, remains on the payroll; Dan has been working behind the scenes coordinating with the City of Covina to help keep our Band the Covina icon that it is, and he also is preparing for future concert programs. Our insurance carriers are continuing to get the premiums they deserve. Our membership in the Covina Chamber of Commerce is maintained. We continue to improve our music library with new acquisitions. We continue to maintain our band and snack bar equipment. These expenses and more are paid for with donations and fundraisers only.
Over recent months, we’ve seen Americans come together and lend each other a helping hand. Today, I’m asking you to give Covina Concert Band that same helping hand. The survival of the Band depends on your generosity right now. Covina Concert Band has been an active 501(c)(3) California non-profit corporation since 1975 and donations are tax deductible.
Please provide a donation to the band and become a recognized patron of Covina Concert Band. With your help we can come out of this grand pause greater than before.
Robert C. Praeger
Covina Concert Band Corporate Board President
May 20, 2020