concord Couple Donates Instruments to LaMuth Middle School in Memory of Local Musician
Concord Township residents Steve and Sue Braunfield recently honored Sue’s late brother by providing instruments to local band students in need.
The Braunfields visited LaMuth Middle School in concord on Sept. 17 to donate six instruments in honor of Frank G. Sprentz Jr.
Band teacher Jim Swislocki and a group of seventh-grade student ambassadors accepted the instruments on the Riverside district school’s behalf.
The collection of instruments includes a flute,clarinet,alto saxophone,trumpet,trombone and percussion kit.Swislocki said that students are introduced to those instruments at LaMuth.
He added that there are already three sixth-grade students “chomping at the bit” for one of the donated instruments.
“It’s really rewarding when people in the community are able to help out students who have the drive and the passion, but they just don’t have the means,” Swislocki said. “So, this will really make a difference in some kids’ lives, every single year that these instruments are hear.”
Steve Braunfield, left, LaMuth middle School band teacher Jim Swislocki and Sue Braunfield pose after the Braunfields donated six instruments to the Riverside district middle school on Sept.17. The Braunfields are Concord Township residents and donated the instruments in honor of Sue’s late brother, Frank Sprentz Jr. (Bryson Durst — The News-Herald)
Steve said that after one student moves on, the instrument will stay with the district to go to the next student in need.
“I hope that it allows a child that may not have had an chance otherwise to get a musical instrument,” he said.
LaMuth Principal Kaylee Flynt added that the school is “very grateful” for the donations. Riverside Marketing and Communications Director Nick Carrabine added that the instruments cost thousands of dollars.
the Braunfields started raising funds to donate instruments after Sprentz died last year at the age of 73. Sue said that he was a songwriter, singer and drummer.
“After he passed, we wanted to do something, just in his memory, his love for music,” she said. “He was a tremendous musician and a very kind, caring guy. And we really wanted to do something to honor him.”
Concord Couple Donates Instruments to LaMuth Middle School in Memory of brother
Concord Township residents Steve and Sue Braunfield recently donated six musical instruments to LaMuth Middle School in honor of Sue’s late brother, Frank G. Sprentz Jr. The donation,made on September 17th,included an alto saxophone and a clarinet,both engraved to commemorate Sprentz.
The Braunfields funded the donation through a GoFundMe campaign, supplementing contributions with a notable personal match, as described by Steve Braunfield. This act of generosity extends beyond LaMuth Middle School; the couple previously donated a total of 23 instruments to schools in Pennsylvania that Sprentz and his family had attended.
Each instrument or case features an engraving dedicated to Sprentz, ensuring he will be “remembered forever,” according to Sue Braunfield. “It’s our pleasure to do this,” Steve Braunfield stated. “Sue’s brother would have really appreciated all the things that are happening for children in the music program, so this was a big deal.”
LaMuth Middle School Principal Andrew Swislocki has invited the Braunfields to be recognized at the school’s May 4th band concerts.