Fundraiser planned for WHS music teacher

Enjoy great music and food while supporting a good cause at "Java and Jazz," a concert to benefit a local music educator. The event is planned for 2 to 7 p.m. Sun., March 19 at Mesa Verde Middle School in Moorpark. Five local groups, including two school bands and three professional big bands, will perform.

The bands will include the Lane 29 Orchestra; the Equinox Ensemble, a Latin and mainstream Jazz group; the Brad Carrow Big Band, also known as Quintessence; the Mesa Verde Jazz "A" Band; and the Moorpark High School Jazz "A" Band.

Sponsored by the school, the event is a fundraiser to help Mike Gangemi, assistant music director for three concert bands, two jazz bands and a marching band at Westlake High School; a jazz band and marching band at Moorpark High School; and jazz band director at Colina Middle School.

Friends of Mike Gangemi, made up of musicians, music teachers, band students and parents are working to help the local music educator with his health. So far, the group has raised about $19,000 through donations, T-shirt sales and concert events. Gangemi, 33, is morbidly obese and needs gastric bypass surgery. He works for several area school districts, but because he doesn't have a college degree he doesn't qualify for benefits. With no health insurance, he cannot pay for the medical care he needs.

All featured acts are volunteering their time and talents. Coffee house It's a Grind, Red Brick Pizza and Subway will offer lunch and dinner. Baked goods and snacks will be sold.

Tickets are $5. The school is at 14000 Peach Hill Road.

For more information, please email sblake@mrpk.k12.ca.us.

--Sophia Fischer