Bid for a band
Stall High auctioning off performance to raise funds
By Diette Courrégé
Stall High School band director Braeden Kershner goes over music with band students Jenaron Singleton (left) and Deonte Stewart during class Tuesday. Kershner has used duct tape and many other methods to revive instruments for students who couldn't afford to buy them.
Creativity takes the place of money for Stall High School band director Braeden Kershner.
He put instruments in the hands of musicians who couldn't afford them. He brought two broken instruments back to life with the aid of duct tape. Now, he's hoping his latest spark of ingenuity will help pave the way to better days.
Kershner is using eBay to auction off a 45-minute marching band performance, complete with drumline and color guard, to the highest bidder.
The North Charleston-based band is willing to play at a birthday party or store opening -- as long as it's appropriate for students to attend. Kershner listed the starting bid at $1,999 in order to ensure the time spent coordinating the performance and potential travel are worth it, he said.
He got the idea for the fundraiser when he sold one of his personal instruments on eBay and made a profit. The Stall principal, the school district's attorney and Kershner's students signed off on his proposal to do the same with a band performance, and he posted the ad.
The school's band receives money from the district, but it's not enough to keep pace with his rapidly expanding group. Kershner spent all but 19 cents of Stall High's $5,200 allocation this year in one day.
The band had eight members when Kershner took over two years ago, and they've more than quintupled in size since then.
More information
Details on the eBay auction of the Stall High School band performance
The band is becoming a more integral part of Stall High. Junior and color guard captain Jennequia Brown said the band makes pep rallies and football games fun, and it gives student members a refuge.
Kershner said he hopes to make enough money through the eBay auction to buy two much-needed new saxophones and color guard equipment -- some small additions that will help make his vision for the band a reality.
"I'm just trying to give them a place to belong," he said. "Right now, we need to build a family."
Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com.
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