Play It Forward:
Columbia Falls Junior High Music Education Drive

Why We're Fundraising

Music education builds confidence, creativity, teamwork, and lifelong skills—which is why every sixth grader in School District 6 participates in the music program. 

At Columbia Falls Junior High, our talented young musicians are full of passion and potential, but many of our instruments are old, worn out, or too few to go around. Some date from the 1960s (or before!) and need frequent repair. Parts can be hard to find. On the choir side, our singers need new equipment to ensure their safety and optimize their sound.

With your support, we are moving toward our goals of:

🎷 Replacing aging instruments

🥁 Adding new sections to our band

🧰 Providing safe, proper equipment for practice and performance

🎵 Giving every student the opportunity to play or sing

The Project

During planning for Play it Forward, CFAF asked district staff to shoot for the moon—to tell us what kind of investment would ensure that the junior high music program could meet student needs not just today, but for generations to come. The result was an ambitious, two-phase project seeking to raise a total of $135,000 for everything from new flutes to a state-of-the-art choir shell.  

Progress to Date

Phase I began in 2024, when CFAF purchased four new trombones. 

In 2025, a $15,000 grant from the Whitefish Community Foundation allowed the junior high to purchase a vibraphone, two French horns, a baritone saxophone, and a public address (PA) system, including a mixer, speakers, subwoofer, and wireless microphones. 

Additional grants from Flathead Electric and Weyerhaeuser moved us closer to our Phase I goal, until a Flathead Electric Community Education Grant rocketed the program across that first finish line.  

Phase I provided CFAF with the funds for:

• Percussion instruments (xylophone, vibraphone)

• Wind instruments (4 trombones, 6 French horns, 4 flutes, 1 baritone saxophone)

• Choral risers

• Equipment (stand racks, speaker system)

We are currently seeking individual, corporate, and non-profit donations to help us complete Phase II of this project, which includes:

• Percussion instruments (2 timpani, 1 marimba, auxiliary)

• Wind instruments (3 trombones, 2 tubas, 8 clarinets)

• Choir shell

• Equipment (sheet music, instrument shelving, chair racks)

Sponsors

This project has received generous community support from:

• Whitefish Community Foundation ($15,000 Community Grant)

• Flathead Electric Cooperative 

  • Roundup for Safety ($3,000)

  • Community Education Grant ($46,000)

• Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund ($4,000)

How You Can Help

By donating, you'll help create an even better environment for our students to learn, grow, and shine on stage.

💸 Donate – Every dollar makes a difference!

📢 Spread the Word – Share our page with family, friends, and music lovers.

🧡 Support the Arts – Show your love for school music programs!

Phase II Goal: $65,000

Let’s continue to put quality instruments into the hands of our future musicians. Your willingness to Play it Forward will help us create performances our community can be proud of—and memories our students will never forget.

🎼 Donate today and help our student musicians play and sing on!