Local nonprofit organization Community Arts in Action (CAIA) had a busy week collaborating with Wareham High School.  The group presented three new instruments to the high school music program at the May 13 Spring Concert and then hosted the JazzLinks Quartet, which featured three musicians with ties to the school, for a performance on Sunday afternoon.

"We at Community Arts in Action really felt really connected to the school system this week," said organization President Leie Carmody. "After standing on the stage with the band and chorus to present [the instruments] we got to enjoy their delightful program." On Sunday, "in addition to the JazzLinks Quartet, we heard a Wareham High graduate who joined them on stage playing her alto sax.  It goes to show - you give a little, get a lot."   

The instruments were purchased from funds generated by the nonprofit's monthly performances which feature a variety of musical, dance, theater and other performing-arts acts.

Individual donors and/or sponsors, playbill ads, and other donations underwrite the expenses for each performance so that all ticket proceeds can go to the benefiting organization.  Past beneficiaries have included the Wareham Free library and the Council on Aging.

"I gave [Wareham Arts Department Director Tom Tricker] my list of a flute, clarinet  and alto sax thinking I would get one instrument not three," said Wareham High School Music Director Jayson Newell.  "But CAIA got all three!"

But the instruments were sorely needed.

Newell said that, although many students buy or rent their own instruments, it's always good to have backups.

The school has an alto sax, but it is in such bad shape it costs $200 to $300 a year to maintain, said Newell.  One clarinetist has been using Newell's own instrument.

"It will be great to have so we don't have to invest more money into an old broken sax," said Newell. And "now I can get my clarinet back!"

The JazzLinks Quartet performance continued the collaboration between the organization and the high school.

In addition to the graduate, Courtney Smith, who joined the group on stage, three of the four members of the quartet have ties to the school.  Keyboardist Jeff Dunn is currently a math teacher. Trumpeter and trombonist Frank Noonan and clarinetist and flutist Dennis Nobrega both taught at the high school in the past.

CAIA's final performance of the season will be held Totally Magic and Illusion with Kevin Burgess, and it will be held at the high school on June 27.