Concord High School turned a Saturday car‑test‑drive event into a meaningful fundraiser for its music program. Through Grappone Mazda’s “Be Moved Drive Program,” the dealership pledged $50 for every licensed adult who stopped at the school and took a Mazda for a spin.
How the fundraiser worked
On Saturday, the school’s parking lot became a temporary Mazda test‑drive site. Adults with a driver’s license were invited to try out the latest models, and each completed drive triggered a $50 contribution from Grappone Mazda to the school’s music department. The program is designed to link community participation with direct support for local schools.
Impact on students
“We want that money just to go towards the students empowering their learning, empowering their passions,” said Courtney Chagnon, general sales manager at Grappone Mazda. “We don’t want any student to be excluded from doing something like music because of budgetary things.”
The donations will be allocated across the concert band, marching band, jazz band, orchestra, and concert choir. Performing‑arts coordinator and music teacher Gabriel Cohen explained that many of the costs—instrument rentals, sheet music, travel fees—often fall to families. “Students have to pay for a lot of those things out of their pocket, and sometimes there’s an expectation for students to participate in things and not everyone can afford it,” Cohen said. “Fundraisers like this help to fund those needs for students.”
Goals and expectations
Members of the Tri‑M Music Honor Society organized the event with a target of raising $10,000. While the final total has not yet been announced, the community response was strong, with dozens of drivers taking part and contributing to the school’s music budget.
Local businesses and parents praised the initiative as a practical way to support arts education without imposing additional fees on families. The partnership highlights how private‑sector involvement can complement public‑school funding, especially for programs that enrich students’ cultural and creative development.
Looking ahead
Concord High’s music directors plan to use the funds to purchase new instruments, cover competition travel expenses, and maintain existing equipment. The school hopes the success of this fundraiser will inspire similar collaborations between other local businesses and educational programs.
By turning a routine activity—test driving a car—into a charitable contribution, Grappone Mazda and Concord High demonstrated how community members can work together to preserve and expand opportunities for young musicians.
Original reporting: WMUR (Hearst) – local news — read the source article.
