By Chris Bavender
For the 29th year, the Carmel Education Foundation will present the Musical Showcase featuring performances from more than 800 students from Carmel Elementary and middle schools’ choirs and ensemble groups.
Sponsored by the Carmel Education Foundation (CEF), it began as part of the Carmel Education Foundation Telethon. The CEF raises money to offer grants to the CCS teachers to develop new curriculum, access new technology, and provide other value-added educational opportunities for more than 16,000 Carmel students.
“The Telethon was broadcasted live on TV to the Carmel community. The National Honor Society students called the community and asked for their donations to support the Carmel Education Foundation’s mission,” said Barbara Danquist, Co-executive director of CEF. “When cable choice was given to Carmel, CEF changed its Telethon format. The Telethon continues every March with the NHS students calling the community for their donations. But the performance of the CCS choirs and ensembles was no longer able to be live. So it became the Musical Showcase.”
The Showcase will be filmed and edited by the Carmel High School Television students and shown during the annual Telethon.
“In turn CEF sells the DVD for $15. Donations are taken at the door for CEF’s mission,” Danquist said. “These funds as well as the funds from our sponsors will be divided among the participating schools as grants to the music directors.”
The Musical showcase is 5-9 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Carmel High School Auditorium. The Telethon is slated for March 17, 18, and 19 and shown on BrightHouse channel 99.
