LAKESIDE – Concert on the Green Concert recently bought three sousaphones and the fourth one was donated by Nancy Keating and Beth James at First Federal Bank, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Orange Park, as a gift to the Lakeside Junior High band.

Lakeside band director Scott Boyer received the gifts last week.

Since 1987, Concert on the Green is an all-volunteer group that’s dedicated to inspiring audiences of all ages and backgrounds through the engagement of music and art. To date, the group as donated more than $370,000 in scholarships to Clay County students and $15,510 in grants to county schools, it they’ve exposed more than $100,000 people to the unique experience of seeing a live orchestra performance.

Other school programs that benefited from Concert on the Green’s contributions included: Fleming Island High band, $3,500; Fleming Island High Art Department, $500, Fleming Island High Chorus, $1,100; Oakleaf High Band, $500; Oakleaf Elementary Chorus, $400; Keystone Heights Guitar Program, $2,000; Middleburg High Band, $2,500; W.E. Cherry Elementary Art Department, $750; Lake Asbury Junior High Music Department, $750; and, Orange Park High Ceramics Department, $750.

The schools got their grants by submitting a request and providing the need.

James said she and Keating decided to get involved because she saw many of the instruments at Lakeside were broken or in disrepair.

“When marching, tuba players use a sousaphone but the schools instruments were broken beyond repair,” she said. “So when performing, he struggled to carry the huge tuba onto the football field. After the first marching performance at OPHS, he came to me and said, ‘Mom, I need your help raising money for band so we can get new sousaphones.’

“At my next rotary meeting, I shared my son’s request. The Rotarians got me in contact with Concert on the Green Clay County and together with the help of First Federal Bank and personal donations from the Rotary Club of Green Cove Springs Rotarians. (More than) $15,000.00 was donated. Four new sousaphones were purchased for Lakeside Junior High.”

“I am amazed at the generous contribution from Concert on the Green Clay County. But most importantly, I am proud of my son for taking initiative and being a change maker.”