Friends, families and music supporters,

I hope this letter finds you and your family well. As we embark on another exciting school year at WRHS, we are proud to share with you the achievements and aspirations of our music programs. Our dedicated students have shown remarkable talent and commitment, and we are eager to provide them with the best possible opportunities to nurture their musical growth.

We understand that many fundraising efforts, such as restaurant nights and selling items, can be time-consuming and sometimes inconvenient.  Therefore, we are writing to ask for your support through a straightforward donation to our music programs. Your contributions will directly impact our students by helping to fund:

• Purchase and maintenance of musical instruments

• Sheet music and other educational resources

• Participation in local and regional competitions

• Guest artist workshops and masterclasses

• Travel and transportation support

In addition, 25 percent of donations made through the write-a-check campaign will be deposited in a student’s ledger account if you designate a student. The designated student will be able to spend those funds on music program related expenses such as travel with the music program, music equipment (reeds, strings, etc) and music lessons. Please make sure the name of the student is included in the donation.

Checks can be made payable to WRHS Instrumental Music Boosters  and sent to the following address:

WRHS Instrumental Music Boosters
PO Box 1234

Wheat Ridge, CO 80034

Alternatively, you may send the check with your child to be delivered to Ms. Graf, scan the QR code at the end of this letter to make your donation through Square or contribute through Colorado Gives. We deeply appreciate your consideration and generosity. Your support will help us continue to provide high-quality music education and memorable experiences for our students.

Thank you for your continued support of WRHS and our music programs. Together, we can inspire and cultivate the next generation of musicians.

With gratitude,

Lisa Cook

President, WRHS Instrumental Music Boosters                             

President@wrhsmb.org 

Our website: https://www.wrhsmb.org

Support WRHS Music Boosters by using your King Soopers loyalty card every time you shop!

Each time you use your King Soopers card, a portion of that goes directly to the Music Boosters and supports our instrumental music students. Click here to learn more.

Did you know you can donate to the Boosters on Colorado Gives Day in December — or any other day of the year through Colorado Gives? We are grateful for all donations, and all donations are tax-deductible.

Booster fundraising benefits WRHS music students in two ways: through general financial support of WRHS instrumental ensembles, and by splitting proceeds from designated Booster fundraising activities between Boosters' general fund and student ledger accounts for students who participated in the fundraiser. Designated ledger fundraising activities typically include product fundraisers such as Butter Braids or cookie dough.

For more information about student ledger accounts, or to request a disbursement, check out the Student Ledger page.

Each May, one WRHS senior is selected to receive the Jacque Hallinan Memorial Award for Excellence in Music, a scholarship given to a graduating Wheat Ridge High School music student each year by John and Kendra Hallinan.

Jacque Hallinan was a 1998 graduate of Wheat Ridge High School and a four year member of the WRHS band.  She was an energetic, enthusiastic person who was devoted to music.

She started her love of music by playing the recorder in 4th grade and advanced to clarinet in 5th grade.  She was dedicated to practicing and perfecting her musical talents.  In high school she thrived in the WRHS band.  She was 2nd chair clarinet as a freshman and 1st chair clarinet in her sophomore, junior, and senior years.  She was clarinet section leader for 3 years.  Band was her focus in high school and she was thrilled when Wheat Ridge won the 4A championship in 1996.

Jacque studied clarinet under Mr. Don Ambler.  He pushed her to be her best.  She was in the Jefferson All-County band on clarinet for 3 years and was 1st chair in that band as a senior.  She was in the CU honor band her senior year.  She participated in the Colorado All-State band in both her junior and senior years.

Jacque also participated in the first percussion ensemble and was a member of the pit orchestra for all 4 musicals.  She played tenor sax for 3 years in the jazz band.  She also played in the Boulder Youth Symphony and the Colorado Clarinet Choir.  

Jacque was chosen as the most outstanding band student at WRHS in her freshman, sophomore and junior years and received the John Philip Sousa Award as a senior.  

Jacque attended CSU for 3 years and played her clarinet in that band.  While at CSU, she was one of 5 finalists in the Lakewood-Chester, England Music Scholar exchange competition.  

Jacque was an honor student and member of the national Honor Society, but sports were important to her also.  She learned to swim at age 3 and took gymnastics classes.  She played summer softball for 11 years and lettered in track in high school.  Her favorite sport was horseback riding.  She learned to ride in 5th grade and when she was 16 she was giving riding lessons.  She received her horse when she graduated in 1998.

In December 2000 Jacque died in a farming accident, but her spirit lives on in music.

The Jacque Hallinan Memorial Award for Excellence in Music was started in 2001 by her parents, John and Kenda Hallinan, to honor Jacque's memory. It is given to a 4-year senior who is committed to the program, an effective leader and an outstanding performer. To donate to the scholarship fund, click the link below.