— Mary Garrison/Tribune-Courier || The Marshall County High School Band, lead by director Ronnie Payton, held its first performance with a brand new set of acoustical shells lining the backdrop of the Kenneth Shadowen Performing Arts Center.

Arts commission receives grant from Kentucky Colonels

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Reporter
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

DRAFFENVILLE – The Marshall County High School Band had plenty to boast at their annual spring concert on March 31. Not the least of which was a brand new set of acoustical shells.

The shells, made possible by a grant awarded to the Marshall County Arts Commission from the Kentucky Colonels, were unveiled for the first time at the concert, and as Director of Bands Ronnie Payton put it, “they’ve made a world of difference in our sound.”

Fifteen units lined the back of the stage in the Kenneth Shadowen Performing Arts Center, each standing six-feet wide and ranging from eight feet, four inches to 13 feet, four inches tall. Weighing in at 256 pounds each, the heavy-duty equipment provides an additional richness and depth to the various musical performances that take place on stage.

“This is something we’ve been wanting to get in place for a long time,” said George Milam, head of the Marshall County Arts Commission. “We’d looked into several other grants, but the problem with virtually all Kentucky Arts Council grants is that they only cover performance means and not hard assets.”

The Kentucky Colonels, however, had that covered. The challenge grant only covers hard assets.

“The real ‘challenge’ we had was finding a way to get the other half of the $23,625 needed to purchase the shells,” Milam said. “Fortunately, the school board was very supportive. They gave us the remaining $11,812.”

The path to obtaining the shells was still a rocky one, though. During shipping, eight of the 15 were damaged.

However, the Stageright company, which was awarded the initial bid by facilities and transportation director Danny Davis, made good on its contract, and the shells were replaced in time for the spring concert unveiling.

Stageright has provided many of the facility’s other items, including the pit filler at the Performing Arts Center.

“We really appreciate all the help from the Kentucky Colonels and the school board,” Milam said. “We wouldn’t have been able to do it without their support.”

Milam and members of the Arts Commission showed that appreciation in style, as well. On the eve of the concert, General George Sullivan, chairman for the board of Kentucky Colonels, was awarded a plaque in honor of the contribution.

Milam also recognized members of the board of education.

“I won’t keep us any longer,” Milam stated at the presentation. “We’re all here for one thing. Let’s hear some music.”