Kate & C.E. Jordan High School Band Spotlight

Name:

Kate Peters (she/her/hers)

How long have you been a CWC singer?

7 years

What community organization, activism, or grassroots work are you involved in that you'd like to highlight?

C.E. Jordan High School band

Please link the org's URL and/or social media pages. 

cejordanband.com

Tell us more about that work and its importance in our community.

The Jordan Band Boosters focuses on fundraising and hands-on support to ensure that every student has access to a musical instrument and materials, and that the programs at C.E. Jordan High are supported with funding, materials, chaperone support, transit, food/meals (food insecurity is real in Durham) and fundraising so that all children are able to participate.

How can we support that work?

Donations are amazing; all funding goes straight to supporting the award winning band program!

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JHSBandBoosters

Anything else you would like to share?

The band truly is welcoming of everyone. There are fair share fees for the marching band and indoor percussion/guard seasons, and we often run a deficit to support those programs. We recently went on an overnight trip to Chicago to compete with the concert bands and jazz combos- it was the first time many of the students had ever left the state.

On a personal note, my child is nonbinary/queer, and the band director, Mr Garris, from day freaking one learned Joey’s preferred name and used it. He does an amazing job of creating an accepting culture of all people- when I thanked him for remembering to use Joey on an award, he looked at me like I was insane, and said it was literally the most basic, fundamental thing he could do…. It is the safest place my kid is all day, every activity, each time.

When they got the award and were recognized with their chosen name, that is when I decided to get involved.