North Carolina’s Panther Creek High School Band receives gift from noted soft jazz star
The Panther Creek High Band will benefit from a band booster’s decision to attend the N.C. Symphony concert that featured Kenny G, the smooth jazz saxophone player
At the concert in March, Kenneth Gorelick, known as Kenny G, talked about his love of his high school band days, noted some of his friends from those days are in his current band and gave away a student saxophone to a person in the audience.
Panther Creek High band parent Joy Wilkes was in the audience and was inspired by what she heard. It gave her the courage to join the line for autographs after the show. Instead of asking for his signature, she asked that he consider donating a saxophone to Panther Creek High.
Two months later, the school received a limited edition Kenny G Tenor Saxophone, a $6,000 in kind gift. The sleek black instrument with silver keys was donated by Kenny G and his business partner Rheuben Allen, who designs the Kenny G line of saxophones.
“We are honored to have the support of a professional artist, who recalls what it’s like to be a student committed to music. Music can be the tool for students learning discipline, teamwork, and leadership…and in Kenny G’s case perseverance. Few musicians will ever experience his level of success.” says Panther Creek Band Director, David Robinson. “We never expected such a generous gift from a world known artist.”
The Panther Creek High Band is one of the largest in the state with more than 200 members. The band boosters plan to auction the donated saxophone as a fundraiser to meet the band’s needs. The drawing will occur on January 25. For more information on the raffle, visit the band website at http://panthercreekband.org/
