<![CDATA[Kirkwood Call]]> <![CDATA[Kirkwood Call]]> /Portals/2/logos/__TFMF_gcjqax55j3zy2145zldgvh45_5746046f-ab3b-43b9-911b-8d4d3a53bd80_0___Selected.jpg en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Tue, 21 May 2013 20:17:34 GMT 15 <![CDATA[Erin Bode raises money for AIM]]> By Bess Wilhelms


Photo by Alania Hinkle

Erin Bode sings in the Keating Theater, Oct. 29.

Since 1975, parents of the Association of Instrumental Music (AIM), have been raising money for their children in the music program, pushing and helping them reach greater heights through music. Erin Bode, who attended Lutheran South High School and Eureka High School and graduated from Webster University, took the Keating stage Oct. 29 to benefit AIM which helps the Kirkwood music program with money and volunteers. “AIM goes toward funding accompanist fees, entry fees for all suburban auditions and summer music camp scholarships,” Jason Rekittke, band director, said. “They also promote parents to help out with getting uniforms checked in and checked out.” Bode helps inspire students who wish to stay with the music program for all high school and through four years of college. “It is good because she is someone successful in the music world and she is raising money for the Kirkwood music program,” Emma Kinsley, sophomore and viola player, said. Rekittke said Bode came because she has a contract with AIM to play one concert with all proceeds going to Kirkwood instrumental students through AIM. “[AIM]’s mission statement is to encourage, help and support students and directors in the instrumental music program,” Rekittke said. The money that AIM raises might help someone who wanted to go to a camp, but couldn’t afford to before, along with helping programs that are not covered by the taxes raised by the school district. Kinsley went to Interlochen and Suzuki Institute at Snowmass with AIM’s help, she said. “[Bode] is helping the cause of young musicians, a benefit to the music program,” Kinsley said. Not only an inspiration, Bode’s concert was a chance for AIM to make up for money that was lost during the other fund raising events that AIM had. “The money raised at the Greentree Book Fair usually represent 55 percent of our funding source,” Mike Brand, communications chair for AIM, said. “Our membership registrations represent 40 percent of our funding, and the remaining funds come from miscellaneous events.” According to Brand, AIM helped orchestra students take a trip to New York City two years ago, along with helping raise money for the new band uniforms last year and about $100,000 worth of new band instruments recently. “This year we had a significant shortfalling in Greentree proceeds due to Hurricane Ike,” Brand said. “We were down significantly. The book fair proceeds were less than $8,000. When we came short with that, the Erin Bode concert was an effort to shore up the budget for the year.” Bode may have only been at Kirkwood for one night, but the money she raised will help the Kirkwood instrumental music program for years to come. ]]> Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:28:00 GMT