The sun was shining and the children were laughing last month at the 8th Annual Save the Music Festival in Belmont, which boasted its highest attendance rate in recent years.

“This festival is unique compared to anything else on the Peninsula,” said Alan Sarver, Festival Chair. In addition to children’s games, international food and professional musicians, performers also included bands, orchestras, and choral groups from Ralston Middle School and Carlmont High School. “People stay all day because their friends and neighbors are here. It really illustrates how closely tied the Belmont-Redwood Shores community is.”

Since its inception in 2003, the Save the Music Festival has raised more than $500,000 through corporate sponsorships and community participation. Funds which have been used to retain music teachers, develop music curriculum, and purchase music instruments. “It’s a ripple effect — the older students have been successful because they were exposed to instrumental music in the 4th & 5th grades.”

The results speak for themselves. Throughout recent decades, Ralston Middle School and Carlmont High School bands, orchestras, choral groups, and soloists have consistently received Superior and Unanimous Superior ratings at California Music Educators’ Association (CMEA) Festivals, and many of the graduates have gone on to successful careers as professional musicians. “Nothing is more inspiring than seeing these talented children perform,” says Alan.

On behalf of the Save the Music Committee, we appreciate the Redwood Shores Community Association for their sponsorship and the community at large who shared their day with us. We also thank the premier community sponsors for their generosity: Oracle, Provident Credit Union, Wells Fargo, Arch & Beam, Janet Pepe Davis, Mistral Restaurant, San Carlos-Belmont Mothers Club, and Union Bank. A complete listing of School-Force business donors can be found at www.schoolforce.org . Thank you for supporting the businesses that support our schools!

— Cindy Carrasco