12/10 McKay HS A cappella Choir – Salem/Keizer SD24J music program
The McKay HS Acapella Choir, Directed by their teacher – Hannah Abercrombie, is the contemporary music vocal group at the school and consists of 14 students in 10th-12th grade. In the past few years, the Scots-Acapella competed and placed high in the International High School Acapella Championships. They have been selected to perform at the Los Angeles Acapella Festival. They also perform at several venues throughout Oregon. More than anything, they enjoy performing with each other, sharing their music and stories on the stage, and showing their love of music throughout the community. Please be sure to not miss this outstanding and unique vocal group from McKay High School. Karl Raschkes will chair the program.
Program Chair – Karl Raschkes
Meeting Location: Broadway Commons, Grant Room – 2nd floor
President’s Message
December Meetings: Student Musicians & Annual Celebration
WE ARE MEETING IN THE GRANT ROOM (2ND FLOOR OF BROADWAY COMMONS) DECEMBER 10 AND 17 – SEE YOU THERE.
I never learned to play a musical instrument, and I do not sing well. However, I very much enjoy listening to others who have learned these skills. This week (December 10) features an a cappella group from Salem’s Douglas McKay High School. We are very fortunate to have Karl Raschkes as a member in our Rotary Club of Salem. Karl joined the Rotary Club of Salem in May 1984. He is the retired Director of Music/Supervisor of Performing Arts for Salem-Keizer School District 24J. In that position Karl had hiring and firing responsibility for the music and performing arts instructors throughout the district. Karl held this position for many years. In retirement, Karl has stayed connected to 24J and through those connections is able to arrange music programs for our club, generally several times per year. Karl is also our resource when it comes to securing the school superintendent for a weekly meeting presentation. Because of Karl’s employment position and his continued interest in the music programs district-wide, we have been able to draw programs from throughout the Salem-Keizer School District and not limit our choices to the two high school areas we work directly with for our student of the month program – North Salem and South Salem high schools. As I mentioned earlier, this week’s program is a group from McKay High School. In March we will have a music program by the Whiteaker Middle School (Keizer) Band and in April we will have a music program by the McNary High School (Keizer) Band. When you see Karl, please say thank you to him for the work he does coordinating these programs. Invite a friend to attend this entertaining music program. As you would expect, Karl will be the program chair.
Be sure to arrange your schedule so you can attend the Rotary Club of Salem annual meeting on December 17:
Catered lunch provided by Wild Pear in the Grant Room on floor 2 of Broadway Commons.
Salvation Army band will provide music and will receive our donations in their Red Kettle.
Annual meeting with officers and directors elected for the 2026-27 Rotary year.
Gold Star annual report presentation of Rotary Year 2024-25 accomplishments.
Last meeting of this calendar year – next meeting will be January 7, 2026.Thanks to all who eagerly participated in the HANDS-ON project during last week’s meeting. We assembled 40 bags with necessary supplies for SafeSleep which provides resources to unhoused women. Our assembly line was well organized, and 36 people filled the 40 bags with supplies in 15 minutes. Rotarians UNITE FOR GOOD!!
FIRELIGHT AND FROST – celebration of our Good Works. Purchase your tickets today for Saturday, January 31, 2026. Invite a friend to UNITE FOR GOOD!!
President Doug Parham
Rotary Club of Salem
2025-2026
