03.14.05
Press conference held at Augusta State House

AUGUSTA—The Caribou High School Music Building Fund held its first press conference, Monday, in the Hall of Flags at the Augusta State House. The event coincided with Maine Cultural Advocacy Day. The fund announced its $2.7 million capital campaign to build a music facility at Caribou High School to the state.

Representative Peter Edgecomb (Caribou) spoke first by welcoming the pubic and thanking the students and music faculty from Caribou for coming to Augusta. Vicki King, chair of the Caribou School System's Music Department and high school choral director, talked about the many limitations that adorn the current space that the music department uses. "The chorus practices in the Caribou Performing Arts Center, which is a great facility to use, but only when we can use it. Whenever there is another event in the center, we are shoved out into the hallway or gym lobby," King said.

Brandon Bouchard, chair of the CHS Music Building Fund and a sophomore at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, informed the public about the accomplishments of the committee to date. Bouchard said, "In January 2004, the students decided to continue the project and create a non-profit organization to raise the funds, and to our knowledge, it is first time ever in Maine that students have taken on such an initiative."

Bouchard went on to talk about the effects of the new addition and argued that the benefits greatly exceed the $2.7 million cost. "Aroostook doesn't have a facility for the arts, so when festivals are held in the county, musicians are stuffed inside libraries, science labs, or as with CHS, the athletic training room. The County will be able to attract more music and arts festivals because there won't be an issue of a lack of space," Bouchard stated. He continued by arguing that projects like the music center in Caribou develop the creative economy, by adding to Maine's quality of life.

Following the press conference, the Caribou High School Jazz combo, under the direction of Vaughn McLaughlin, performed a song for those in attendance.

To view the press release for the event, please click here.