Last year’s “Great Longmeadow Karaoke Throwdown” raised $2,500 for Longmeadow Public Schools music programs.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
SPRINGFIELD — The Great Longmeadow Karaoke Throwdown is back for a second year on Oct. 25, with the Friends of Longmeadow Music setting their sights high toward doubling last year’s proceeds to directly benefit music programs across Longmeadow Public Schools.
The 21-plus event will begin at 5 p.m. at Theodores’ Booze, Blues and BBQ, 201 Worthington St. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 night of.
Karaoke DJ Travis Williams will lead the singing with a songbook of over 35,000 songs. Also included is a BBQ dinner buffet, cash bar and prizes for best acts and outfits.
The Friends of Longmeadow Music began in 2024 and strives to expand opportunities, improve experience and provide resources for LPS music programs. The group raises funds through sponsorships, contributions and events like this one.
Friends of Longmeadow Music President Ben Craft said the group’s catalyst was realizing Longmeadow schools didn’t have a booster program like how sports programs do.
“We incorporated back then as, kind of, a small but mighty group,” Craft said. “We’ve been working since then to support music experiences for kids in all levels of the Longmeadow Public Schools music program, from elementary up to high school.”
Craft said the group’s first big accomplishment was fundraising enough to send a group of musicians to Italy in 2025.
“Kids from our highest level chorus and instrumental music groups were able to tour throughout Italy and obviously have that cultural experience and perform in some amazing locations,” Craft said. “We were able to provide about 50 scholarships for kids to help them be able to go do that.”
The karaoke night is a chance to allow the Friends of Longmeadow Music to take its work outside of a school setting and let “people let their hair down a little bit,” according to Craft.
“You’re gonna get a hance to have some fun and create some music on your own,” Craft said. “In my case, make a fool of myself, have fun, get up on stage and sing.”
Last year’s event raised about $2,500, which went toward sheet music and equipment for the elementary programs. The event also funded a trip to Broadway for middle schoolers.
“Now, we’re fundraising for the next overseas trip for the high school program,” Craft said. “Their next trip is going to be Germany in the winter of 2027. They’re going to Berlin and Leipzig, so really that’s the big fundraiser that we have going on now.”
He said one thing he’s most excited for is the chance for adults around the music program to get together and have a fun evening for a good cause.
Tickets can be purchased by emailing friendsoflongmeadowmusic@gmail.com. Venmo, cash or check are all viable forms of payment. The group can be found on Facebook, @FriendsofLongmeadowMusic.
