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The Santa Paula High School Jazz Band led by Director William Melendez (right) entertained; the high school program as well as the Isbell Middle School Band were the recipients of a generous Ebell Club donation. |
Ebell Club hits the right note with donations to SPHS, Isbell bands
March 18, 2016
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
The Ebell Club of Santa Paula held their annual fundraising luncheon at First United Methodist Church’s Wesley Hall where they enjoyed a concert by the Santa Paula High School Band…and then hit the right note with a $500 donation to area music programs.
The sold-out March 7 event featured a raffle with a heavy emphasis on celebrating the coming Spring, a nice contrast to recent storms.
Guest Brenda Stewart noted “The weather cooperated with Ebell,” and rains had stopped while Alice McMahan and Jane Marcus said they were looking forward to the concert.
“We have such talented kids in Santa Paula,” said Jane, a former Ebell Club member who modeled in club fashion shows for years.
Alice is still an Ebell member and “I enjoy all the meetings but especially this, our annual fundraiser.”
Program Chair Joyce Rounds agreed: “We’re really looking to enjoying the band,” as well as the socializing with guests including Ebell members from Ventura and Oxnard clubs.
Lynda Hartson, in her first year of a two-year term as President of the Ebell Club, said the organization has almost 50 members.
Dr. Adrian Ebell, an eminent German scholar, was convinced that women’s greatest need was the study of science and philosophy as well as enjoying general culture. He established the first Ebell Club in 1876 in Oakland.
The Santa Paula Chapter, formed in 1913, was the ninth in the state.
“We’re very welcoming to new members,” that Lynda invited to enjoy the regular meetings that feature lunch and entertainment.
“We even have field trips…”
Lynda has been a member about five years after a “friend and neighbor invited me to come to a meeting and I did…and I liked it and stayed! It gave me an opportunity meet more ladies.”
Band Director William Melendez said the concert also benefitted the band: “It’s another performing opportunity for the kids, they get to strut their stuff and I love it!”
Band members come early to school to practice, “7 a.m.,” said Melendez. “Jazz will wake you up better than coffee!”
During the concert he introduced band members noting their activities in sports, choir, the marching band, scholastics and volunteering to help other students.
“I believe in having well rounded students,” and members of the band said Melendez are just that.
He will lose 20 senior band members when they graduate this year but “We have 50 coming from Isbell…I’ll make sure they can all play, even if we have to form a kazoo marching band!”
The last song played by the band was from “The Wiz” the musical production being performed by SPHS students under the direction of Jerry Cruz, leader of the SPHS Theater Team and assistant band director.
The song featured student dancers, many who were taking a break from acting as servers at the luncheon.
At the end of the program a $500 check was presented and Joyce said the donation would benefit the SPHS Jazz Band as well as the Isbell Middle School Band: “We want to give the kids a good amount of money,” she noted. “They very much need instruments, uniforms and funds for trips…”
For more information about the Ebell Club Santa Paula Chapter call Joyce, 805-525-7788 or Lynda, 805-525-2510.
