Record Music at Skypark attendance in 2016

As the final Music at Skypark free concert day approaches, event sponsor Kiwanis of the Valleys estimates this year will close out as record year for the event and for its donations to music programs at local schools.
The event has donated $106,500 through its first seven seasons to the Scotts Valley Unified School District to support the music programs at the four local public schools –Scotts Valley High School, Scotts Valley Middle School and Vine Hill and Brook Knoll Elementary Schools. 
The local service club expects to donate an additional $20,000 raised during our eighth season, which concludes with the concert on Sunday, Sept. 25.
The music will again begin at 2:30 p.m. and last until 6 p.m., with this weekend’s featured bands, local favorites the Coffis Brothers and the Rayburn Brothers.
Admission to the concerts is free.
Some bands are paid a nominal amount; others have donated their time.
Kiwanis reports that income is generated from sponsorships, and the 60 percent donations from local food and beverage vendors at the concerts.
Attendance at the last concert, Aug. 28, was considered a record, estimated as high as  
900 concertgoers.
The dozens of volunteers at each concert are mostly from Kiwanis of the Valleys and the student Kiwanis organizations at UC Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley High.
Beth Hollenbeck, the district’s Music Educator, reported that concert proceeds have purchased:
New band suits and dresses for the HS jazz band and choir;
New dresses for the middle school choir;
Other uniforms through the years;
Baby grand piano for the high school;
Upright piano for the student union;
Fees for student groups to participate in the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival;
New musical instruments;
Repair of damaged instruments and equipment;
Instrument and equipment storage lockers;
Risers for choirs;
New musician chairs;
Teaching materials;
Music library;
Music teachers’ attendance at Calif. Music Educators Assoc. Conference.
Music at Skypark and community support of music in our schools are credited for helping Scotts Valley win the prestigious “Best Communities for Music Education Award” from the National Association of Musical Merchants in 2013.