Editor’s note: Tyler Sutton supplied the choir photo, and Stephanie Briggs took the picture of the auditorium.
For three years, B. Tyler Sutton has been Director of Bands at Morrison Junior High and Morrison High Schools. As such, he is deeply invested in the Performing Arts of music and drama. It is apropos that Sutton would spearhead efforts for a new sound system in the High School auditorium. The order includes a speaker system, amplifier, and CD player. There is no District budget for the Auditorium.
During the 2019-2020 school year he began a fundraising campaign. The bid was $17,500 and includes installation fees.
On Friday, August 7, 2020, he reported, “We were able to place an order for the equipment we could afford from the donations we received last fiscal year. It will be installed once all of the funds have been raised and the remaining equipment has been purchased.” As of August, $7500 has been donated.
“We are currently at 43% funding and need $10,000 more to complete this project. We would like to publicly thank those that have already donated to our cause [see donors below].” He hopes “public recognition will garner a few more businesses to be encouraged to donate.” However organizations, churches, financial institutions, theatre groups, dance families and studios, and audience members/citizens who value Performing Arts in Morrison, IL, are invited to help pay for a portion the cost. Family members who enjoy recitals; school concerts and plays; National Honor Society Inductions; Honors Night awards; Prom Grand Marches know the worth of an updated sound system in the Auditorium. Community programs are held there.
Rarely is there an admission fee to attend events. If citizens donated the price of one paid event per family member, it would signify community ownership of this update to the Auditorium.
“All donors will be recognized on a plaque that will hang near the auditorium recognizing their contributions,” noted Sutton. “Thank you for your continued support of the Performing Arts in Morrison!”
Contact Tyler Sutton with questions or to make a donation at tyler.sutton@morrisonschools.org. Current donors are listed below.
- Individuals: Lisa Bush, Sally Lindsey, Kathryn Rider, Kelly Sorah, Mike and Kelly Vegter of Vegter Steel Fabrication/American Piping Group, Ken Wolf.
- Businesses/Organizations: Climco Coils, Morrison Area Community Foundation, Morrison Lion’s Club, Staff at Resthave Care & Rehabilitation, thecity1.com, Walmart.
Built in 1968, the Auditorium has offered a place for community gatherings for 52 years. It is a venue used by students and admired by their families, as well as the public. Tens of thousands of feet have danced, processed, and walked across its stage. The first production by our Morrison Music Theatre Association debuted in June 1969, directed by Donald Miller, with the popular musical, “The Sound of Music.” The play was reprised in June 1994.
Improvements have been ongoing: air conditioning; light bulbs above the stage; several curtains and scrims; risers for choral programs; microphones. Former teacher Anne Frame said Morrison Music Boosters and a grant from Dr. Alt, DDS, funded four head microphones and receivers in 2006-2007. A hard shell case and other microphones have been added.
Technical lighting and sound boards have been improved multiple times. The 1969 “light board lasted 25-30 years,” stated former Band Instructor David Bean, before “a lightning strike killed it. The new one should be good for at least 12 years.” This light board is a digital computerized device. Colors can be programed as well as brightness levels. “You always have to keep updating” lighting and sound, said Bean. He updated the sound board a couple times.
High School Principal Cory Bielema reported incandescent, ceiling “light bulbs were replaced this summer.”
