LAKEVIEW — Frank Ocean and Kelly Clarkson aren't the only ones winning awards from the GRAMMYs.
Lake View High School won an award from the music organization's non-profit the GRAMMY Foundation last month for having an outstanding music department. And the title of being a Signature School comes with a nice check for $2,000.
"It was completely out of the blue," said LVHS music chair Jim Barbick, who's been teaching at the school for 10 years. "It wasn't something we had applied for."
Schools are chosen based on quality of the music program and financial need, and benefit from a donation from traveling musical "The Book of Mormon," according to a statement from GRAMMY Foundation Vice President Scott Goldman.
The money will go toward repairing and replacing band instruments or buying a few more choir uniforms. At a school where nearly 85 percent of students qualify as low-income, the young music scholars rarely can afford to buy their own equipment, Babrick said.
Most likely, the grant will be able to purchase a handful of flutes or clarinets, which cost around $300 to $350.
"We're always looking to upgrade and upkeep the instruments we own," Barbick said. "That’s our main financial commitment."
Music plays a big part of culture at Lake View, and many students stay in band or choir for their entire high school career. Being able to provide instruments helps bolster all the activity that goes on.
"It’s a very strong thing here at Lake View," he said.
