The Suzuki School of Music has come up with a novel way of raising money for its Financial Aid Fund.

This coming Sunday, it will hold the first-ever Perform-a-thon, a day-long festival celebrating music, the arts and especially the talents of its own students and teachers. The aim is to raise at least $10,000, with more than 200 students aged from four to 16 asking for sponsorship -- to perform either by the piece, or even by the minute.

The school faculty will perform in the Grand Finale.

"Quite apart from the fact that we are trying to raise money to help children who don't have the financial means to continue, or even embark on a musical education, we are hoping that this event will demonstrate the importance of music in children's lives,'' says the Suzuki School's Imogen Davis, who is co-ordinating the event.

"The study of music will benefit people for their whole lives. There has been a mass of evidence now to prove that children who study music, do far better, academically and are more successful than those who do not. We are very concerned by the fact that some of our children, who are really accomplished do need financial help. We really would like to keep them going.'' Mrs. Davis explains that the philosophy behind the Suzuki method is that any child can learn to play a musical instrument. "What is absolutely vital, is the commitment of the parents in the musical process.'' She explains that the Suzuki school first got the idea of a Perform-a-thon from the Performing Arts School in Worcester, Massachusetts. The goal was to involve faculty and students in a scholarship fundraiser. In the process they discovered that, besides its success in raising money, the event also provided a very effective method of involving the entire school community.

Noting that music is a global affair, Mrs. Davis says that students have even been encouraged to ask family and friends overseas to act as sponsors.

Besides the performances, there will also be a full programme of games, mural painting, and a fun castle for younger children. Lunch will be available.

Other faculty members who will take part in the Finale include Steve Davis (piano), Joan Stewart (violin), Elisabeth Weber (piano) and Linda Judiesch who has recently joined the school as a violin teacher.

The Suzuki School of Music Perform-a-thon '96 will take place at Saltus Junior School on Sunday, October 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PANTO PRODUCERS -- The four principal producers for this year's BMDS pantomime, "Mother Goose'', have been selected and auditions for those who would like to take part will be held this weekend. Pictured are executive producer Jane Correia (second from left) assisted by (left to right):- Janice Duffy, Kevin Blee and Barry Bailey.

The pantomime will run at City Hall from December 5 to 14 at City Hall, with Jonathan Owen returning from the UK to act as director. Choreography will be by Sal Hodgson, with Gaynor Gallant (head of the Daylesford Singers) will be musical director.

Auditions will be held in the Queen Elizabeth Hall at B.H.S. this Saturday, October 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for adults and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for children, and on Sunday, October 27 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. for everyone.

Audition material is obtainable from the Daylesford Theatre.