Salida High Choir Raises $900 at Pizza Fundraiser

When students from Salida High School's choir walked into Amicas Pizza on March 5, they weren't just there for the breadsticks. They were there to sing, and their community showed up ready to listen and give.

The evening raised more than $900 for the school's choral program. André Wilkins, the performing arts director, credits both the restaurant's enthusiastic staff and patrons who donated generously throughout the night.

The money will fund updates the program has been needing for a while. Contemporary sheet music, custom folders, and T-shirts are all on the shopping list, along with fees for honor festivals where talented students can showcase their skills alongside peers from other schools.

Amicas Pizza didn't just donate space for the event. Staff members cheered on the students and engaged with their performances, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a celebration than a typical fundraiser.

Why This Inspires

This story captures something special about small-town support for the arts. In an era when school music programs often face budget cuts, a single evening of community backing raised nearly $1,000 without grants or lengthy campaigns.

The students didn't just receive money. They experienced performing for an audience that genuinely wanted them to succeed, building confidence that will serve them far beyond their next concert.

Local businesses like Amicas Pizza prove that supporting young artists doesn't require corporate sponsorships or foundation backing. Sometimes it just takes opening your doors, turning up the volume, and letting talent shine.

If you missed this performance, there's another chance coming. The combined Salida High School and Salida Middle School choirs will perform together on May 7 at 7 p.m., giving the community another opportunity to support these young voices.