SUPPORTING MUSICAL EXCELLENCE IN OKEMOS

Dear Okemos Community,

What an absolutely fantastic gathering we had with Spaghetti Dinner 2023!  Thank you one and all for your enthusiastic participation and for helping Okemos Music Patrons revive this cherished tradition and bring it back into the life of our community.  This year, we raised over $40,000 for Okemos K-12 music programs.  On March 9th, Okemos High School was vibrant with youthful energy, filled with incredible music, all accompanied by a delicious spaghetti meal.  We feel positively refreshed and strengthened as a community with our first in-person event in three years!

Bravo, Musicians!

From Beethoven to the Backstreet Boys, Okemos music students rocked the house!  Congratulations and thank you to the talented students and teachers for outstanding concerts and for entertaining us with a variety of beautiful classical, jazz and contemporary music throughout the evening.  The lively performances showcased the excellent music programs throughout the district— Kinawa band, orchestra and choir groups took us “over the rainbow” in the auditorium, Chippewa and OHS jazz bands kept up the high energy in the cafeteria, and OHS chamber ensembles welcomed people with lovely classical strains in the hallways.  

Thank You, Community Leaders!

Our warm appreciation also goes to the esteemed school and community leaders who served as hosts, greeting and welcoming the thousands of attendees to Okemos High School.  Special thanks to Superintendent John Hood and Principal Daniel Kemsley for supporting and guiding our endeavors.  Also, a heartfelt thank you to the OPS food service, facilities and maintenance staff for their superior professional dedication and for working alongside us to make the event a success.  

Thank You, Business Sponsors!

We are also very grateful for the outpouring of support from our business community.   Twenty seven local businesses sponsored the event with their generous donations and made it possible for OMP to host a live spaghetti dinner and raise funds for our Okemos music programs.  You can find the list of donors below.  When you next patronize these businesses, please thank them for valuing and supporting arts education in our community.  

Thank You, Volunteers!

Our sincerest gratitude goes out to the hundreds of parent and student volunteers who make such a massive project possible — from the people who worked for months behind the scenes to plan and organize, to the hardy outdoor takeout team braving the weather, it takes a huge village to pull it all together!  We served well over 3,000 spaghetti dinners in the dining room, takeout and drive-through.  Selling tickets, decorating, publicizing and printing signs and programs, organizing volunteers, serving food, preparing and delivering takeout meals, cleaning up, donating tasty desserts, recycling — it’s a dynamic dance. You all pulled it together beautifully!   

Thank you for pitching in with your positive energy and helping us rise to the challenge of serving meals to the tremendous turnout of attendees.  Special thanks also to the folks who were in line when we had to replenish the pasta.  As we let people know about the delay, we were so appreciative of your positive response, understanding and flexibility.  We are already reviewing and learning from the event so we can make it even better in the future.  

OMP is an entirely 100% volunteer run organization dedicated to supporting all K-12 music programs in the Okemos Public Schools.  You can be assured that your ticket purchases and donations go directly to elementary, middle school and high school music teachers to bolster and improve music education opportunities.  

Thank you for coming out, celebrating with us and supporting Okemos Music Patrons!  We can’t wait to see you again next year!

Sincerely,
Okemos Music Patrons Board

PATRON LEVEL – $1000

BENEFACTOR LEVEL – $500

SUPPORTER LEVEL – $300

• Commercial Bank
• Grewal Law
• Marshall Music Co.
• Persis Indian Grill
• Pho’ 777
• Portnoy & Tu Family Dentistry
• Venturit Inc.

ENSEMBLE LEVEL – $200

• Burkhardt Pecora Bloomberg Orthodontics
• Endodontic Specialists, P.C.
• Giguere Estates
• PGPA Pharmacy
• Total Health Dentistry

SOLO LEVEL – $100

• Asian Buffet/Henry’s Place
• Farm Bureau Insurance
• MSUFCU
• Rise & Shine Tutoring
• Serra Auto Collection

Prize Donations

• Culver’s Restaurant
• Schuler Books

Our Mission

To provide support to the Okemos Music Program (Band, Choir, General Music, and Orchestra) to enhance and maintain the high quality of music education, exposure, and performance for all interested students in the district. To provide needed financial support to all students interested in expanding their music experience.

About the OMP Board

We are very fortunate to be in a district that truly values and embraces music. We are a dedicated group of parents who work together with the teachers to provide supplies, scholarships, and general music funding to help maintain and enhance the very high quality of the Okemos Public Schools’ music program. If you share our passion for music in Okemos, and would like to contribute your time and talents, please join us!

Executive Board

President: Shruti Vaidya
Vice-Presidents: Derek Moy and Sopa Mocny
Treasurers: Madhavi Kulkarni
Secretary: Mark Fleming

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