High school holiday performance also a fundraiser for band, choirs

Pahrump Valley High School music department is having its annual holiday concert next week as a fundraiser for the department.

This will be Music Director Eric Kunzi’s third holiday concert since taking over three years ago. The show is on Dec. 12-13 at 7 p.m. in the high school main gymnasium. The ticket prices are $5.

The performance will include the 36-member concert band, a 47-student mixed choir and a chamber choir of 15 students.

Kunzi said the music department has been practicing for this Christmas and holiday performance since the beginning of October. All the proceeds will go to the music department to raise much needed money to buy new equipment.

“We’re using outdated uniforms that are just old and gross,” Kunzi said. “We will also use the money to purchase instruments to loan to students. I have two new students right now, who can’t play music with us because they can’t afford an instrument and the school is out of instruments.”

According to Kunzi, his uniforms are over 10 years old.

An instrument can range in price from $350-$450 apiece, and new uniforms can be as low as $450 each.

In addition to the instruments, Kunzi hopes to raise money for competitions and to purchase new music.

“The music we have has been around here in our library for about 40 years and I am hoping to buy some new music so we have a more varied repertoire,” he said. “I am also hoping to raise money for competitions. Every time we travel, that money comes from fundraisers. It costs us a lot of money to move the instruments to Las Vegas and other parts of Nevada.”

In addition to the singing and quality music from the concert band, the band members will be selling raffle tickets for a sleigh ride. Also the music department will be selling raffle tickets for a limited amount of poinsettias.

“I hope the entire community can bring their families and enjoy our holiday music with us,” Kunzi said.

In addition to the high school, Rosemary Clarke Middle School will also be having a holiday show directed by Robert White on Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the gym.

The show will feature the concert band and the choir, which are both made up of 7th and 8th graders. The show is free of charge and cookies and punch will be served after the concert.

The high school is located at 501 E. Calvada Ave. and the middle school is at 4201 N. Blagg Road.