While news reports tell us that our nation's economy is struggling to recover, it's amazing to see the generosity of people that are engaged with a vibrant cause.  The Wind Up/Wine Down of 2011 was a sell-out almost a week before the event!  While this was only the second year of the event, it's clear that friends are telling other friends about the great time they had at the first one, and brought their friends along for an evening of music, wine tasting and prizes.  The event raised over $4,000 to help subsidize private music lessons for students in the Norwin Band as well as music students in the Norwin School District in grades 5 through 8 who are planning to be a part of the band when they enter high school.

Musical entertainment included Bad Strad, a Celtic-Rock quartet fronted by fiddler extraordinaire Bob Banerjee, as well as an outstanding jazz combo put together by Norwin's Director of Bands Robert Traugh.  The group featured Mr. Traugh on trombone, his brother Dave on bass, Evan Hertrick on sax, Kurt Wolfgang on guitar and Norwin's own Josh Dick on drums.  The Greenhouse Winery provided the perfect background with its holiday decorations and hospitable hosts Cindy Helinski and Greg Hazuza.

The interesting thing is that we can't say that next year's event will be bigger and better than ever - but we can say that with what we're planning, you'll need to get your tickets REALLY early for the event in November of 2012.

The Suite Cafe 2011 is now history, and what a success it was!  It's amazing to us, that even in this most difficult economy, there are individuals willing to roll up their sleeves and help, businesses that contribute their products and services, parents and relatives that support the organization, and friends and community members that contribute gifts of time, talent and treasure to support the outstanding work of some spectacular kids, to help make them not only really good at what they do, but to excel.

Counting the 26 student performers from the Norwin Band, there were over 170 individuals that attended - over 50 more than last year.  That's phenomenal - especially on a Saturday in May.  Many more folks wanted to attend but couldn't due to prior commitments, weddings, and graduations.  The unbelievable part is that those folks sent donations to the fund even thought they couldn't be there.

Because the event was held the day after the Norwin Prom, many of the students wore their tuxes and ball gowns for another day to enhance the event's prestige.  The other change from last year was that there was no wine tasting, making this a family-friendly event, and some families really appreciated the ability to bring their children.  It also offered the ability for some younger and very talented music students to perform, showing the excellence in musicianship the North Huntington, Irwin and North Irwin communities foster.

Almost forgot - the event raised over $5,000.  We thank you for your generosity and commitment to what's right with today's young men and women.  Come hear them - you'll be amazed.

We've all heard the news, watched the television reports, and read the blogs and the news services about the difficult economic times our nation is experiencing.  But we're now also hearing about signs of hope.  For the people of Irwin, North Huntingdon, and North Irwin, Pennsylvania, hope is found in the young men and women that comprise the Norwin Band.

In December of 2009, the Norwin 'Play It Forward' Fund was begun with a small contribution to the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County.  It was begun after consultation with Mr. Robert Traugh, Director of Bands for the Norwin School District.  When asked what did the band need to raise the musical performance level of the group, the answer was a quick one - students needed private lessons.   The purpose of the fund was clear: to enhance the musical education of the students of the Norwin Band by providing funds to subsidize private music lessons and music camp experiences of students in grades 5 through 12.

Since the usual contribution to begin a fund with a special designation was $10,000, we knew our work was cut out for us, especially in difficult economic times.  However, the enthusiasm for the project was high, and several major events were planned for the spring and fall to help reach that goal.  Since success begets success, excitement began to build for the Norwin Band program.  That excitement led to an incredible marching season, culminating in a 7th place finish at the Music For All/Bands of America Regional Competition in Indianapolis, Indiana, just one week before the program's Grand National Championship Event.  The successes of the Norwin Band has prompted financial gifts from members of the community and band alumni to both the Norwin Band and the Norwin 'Play It Forward' Fund.

With several major gifts and two successful events (a coffeehouse in the spring and a wine-tasting/concert event in the fall), the fund exceeded its $10,000 goal for 2010!  Enthusiasm is already starting to build for this spring's event, which now has a name - The AfterProm, since it is scheduled for the day after the Norwin High School Prom.

We'd like you to help build that enthusiastic excitement!  If you've attended a Norwin 'Play It Forward' Fund event in 2010, this is the place to tell others about your experience.  It takes all kinds of contributions - not only the monetary kind - to make a program grow!