Thanks to the generosity of several individuals and businesses, 21 local students will be able to participate in summer band camps.
Jim Swiggart with the Carroll County Community Orchestra recently announced that, because of the financial support from the community, students will receive scholarships to attend summer camps at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
“Our students and organization are so grateful for these sponsors,” Swiggart said in an announcement regarding the camp scholarships. “Because of the support of Carroll County Community Orchestra and many of our patrons and businesses who provide scholarships through investing in ads in our programs … the students will be experiencing life changing music this summer.”
Carroll County Community Orchestra presents two concerts each year, one in the spring and one at Christmas. All money raised through ticket sales and program ads goes toward the summer camp scholarships.
Nearly $8,000 was raised for the students this year, Swiggart said. ?
“We rehearse once a week, on Mondays, in the Berryville High School band room with Carroll County adults and other adults traveling from over an hour away,” Swiggart said, adding that participating students are from Berryville, Green Forest, Eureka Springs and Alpena.
“[It’s] been a successful format for 19 years now.”
Carroll County students who will be attending the camps this summer are Haley Savage, Alissa Carlson, Steven Everly, Lily Stephenson, Brody Carlson, Cole Reed, Jaxon Comer, Heather Lowry, Andy Benitez, Madison Jackson, Israel Merida-Noriega, Andrew Griesenauer, Maynor Valiene-Cruz, Kelly Diaz, Garrett Tibets, Roman Johnson, Kelci Blevins, Elijah Spring, Alaycia Earl, Abby Smith and Adam Byler.
“We really enjoy bring the musical arts to our county and appreciate everyone’s support,” Swiggart said. “Our organization is a 501(c)(3) and welcomes support from all who want to help change the lives of students through music education.”
Swiggart, from Holiday Island, is the conductor of the orchestra and Gray Squires of Berryville is the group’s president.
