MISSOULA – Big Sky High School band students have a wide selection of musical compositions, but are lacking diversity.
Band Director Jesse Dochnahl says he is responsible for bringing more musical diversity into the classroom.
He says the band students come from various backgrounds, and he wants all of his students to be able to identify with the compositional and creative process of contemporary composers that typically get less recognition.
Thanks to a One Class at a Time grant from Republic Services and KPAX-TV, Dochnahl now has money to purchase some of those works. Republic Services Marketing Manager Chad Bauer and KPAX-TV General Manager Bob Hermes recently awarded Dochnahl with a $250 check.
“There are incredible composers out there that are women or people of color that they are historically marginalized and not empowered through publishers and school programs that don’t play the music," Dochnahl said.
Click here to apply for a One Class at a Time grant.
