Practice-a-Thon 2025!
As you may know, tuition only covers a fraction of costs at Youth Music Illinois. The rest is made possible by generous supporters like you, local businesses, art grants, and fundraisers like this one. We’d love your help making this season’s Practice-a-Thon a huge success!
By pledging your support—and encouraging family, friends, and business owners to do the same—you’ll help us continue creating unforgettable musical experiences for our talented youth while enhancing and expanding a program that has long been recognized as home to some of Central Illinois' top youth ensembles.
How to Participate:
YMI students can ask family, friends, neighbors, and other individuals or businesses they know to sponsor their strings practice for the month. If every student raises $125, we’ll meet our goal!
To spread the word, simply:
● Check your email for your registration confirmation and share the links.
● Scan the QR code and find your student’s name.
● Text YMI2025 to 33100 and a link will be provided to you.
● Visit the website.
How to Make a Pledge:
Step 1. Click the "Make a Student Donation" button.
Step 2. Select a musician to credit.
Step 3. Enter a flat or per-minute donation amount.
Step 4. Continue the checkout process and submit your pledge!
Thank you for supporting Youth Music Illinois and sharing with your family and friends!
Fundraiser Prizes
● The student who raises the most money overall will receive a $200 tuition credit for the Fall semester that can be used for YMI ensembles or Suzuki lessons.
● The student who practices the most minutes overall will receive a $200 tuition credit for the Fall semester that can be used for YMI ensembles or Suzuki lessons.
● Every student who participates will automatically receive one ticket for the prize drawings. Additional prize drawing tickets will be awarded for every $60 raised and 100 minutes of practice. Prizes will include bonus perks within YMI like helping select a song for your ensemble, getting to be a guest conductor, and first pick for audition slots. We will also have additional fun items and activities that students and families will enjoy.
FAQs
How do I sign up as a participant?
As a member of YMI 2024/2025 Season, we have automatically created a personal fundraising page for each YMI student on RallyUp to share with your family and friends. Check your email for the link or simply search your student’s name and select "Visit Fundraising Page" to see their personal page.
What counts as practice time?
Practice minutes will be defined as practice time on your YMI instrument. YMI rehearsal time and outside school or other group rehearsals do not count. If you play more than one instrument for YMI, you may count practice time for every YMI instrument you play.
How do we log minutes?
Students can log their minutes online via their personal fundraising page or submit a physical log and we will record it for you. You will have to log in to your RallyUp account using the email provided to YMI. Detailed instructions are available in the FAQs online.
How do per-minute donations work?
If a student practices 5 days a week for 30 minutes a day for the entire three-week fundraiser, that’s 450 minutes! If a sponsor pledges 10 cents a minute, the student would earn $45 from that sponsor. If you had 5 sponsors, that’s $225 you’ve raised for the Practice-A-Thon!
Is my donation immediate?
If you make a flat donation, your donation will be processed immediately and appear in our donation totals. If you choose a per-minute pledge, your per-minute donation will be charged at the end of the fundraiser based on the number of minutes the student you are supporting completed. Donation totals will increase as students enter their practice minutes.
By pledging your support—and encouraging family, friends, and business owners to do the same—you’ll help us continue creating unforgettable musical experiences for our talented youth while enhancing and expanding a program that has long been recognized as home to some of Central Illinois' top youth ensembles.
How to Participate:
YMI students can ask family, friends, neighbors, and other individuals or businesses they know to sponsor their strings practice for the month. If every student raises $125, we’ll meet our goal!
To spread the word, simply:
● Check your email for your registration confirmation and share the links.
● Scan the QR code and find your student’s name.
● Text YMI2025 to 33100 and a link will be provided to you.
● Visit the website.
How to Make a Pledge:
Step 1. Click the "Make a Student Donation" button.
Step 2. Select a musician to credit.
Step 3. Enter a flat or per-minute donation amount.
Step 4. Continue the checkout process and submit your pledge!
Thank you for supporting Youth Music Illinois and sharing with your family and friends!
Fundraiser Prizes
● The student who raises the most money overall will receive a $200 tuition credit for the Fall semester that can be used for YMI ensembles or Suzuki lessons.
● The student who practices the most minutes overall will receive a $200 tuition credit for the Fall semester that can be used for YMI ensembles or Suzuki lessons.
● Every student who participates will automatically receive one ticket for the prize drawings. Additional prize drawing tickets will be awarded for every $60 raised and 100 minutes of practice. Prizes will include bonus perks within YMI like helping select a song for your ensemble, getting to be a guest conductor, and first pick for audition slots. We will also have additional fun items and activities that students and families will enjoy.
FAQs
How do I sign up as a participant?
As a member of YMI 2024/2025 Season, we have automatically created a personal fundraising page for each YMI student on RallyUp to share with your family and friends. Check your email for the link or simply search your student’s name and select "Visit Fundraising Page" to see their personal page.
What counts as practice time?
Practice minutes will be defined as practice time on your YMI instrument. YMI rehearsal time and outside school or other group rehearsals do not count. If you play more than one instrument for YMI, you may count practice time for every YMI instrument you play.
How do we log minutes?
Students can log their minutes online via their personal fundraising page or submit a physical log and we will record it for you. You will have to log in to your RallyUp account using the email provided to YMI. Detailed instructions are available in the FAQs online.
How do per-minute donations work?
If a student practices 5 days a week for 30 minutes a day for the entire three-week fundraiser, that’s 450 minutes! If a sponsor pledges 10 cents a minute, the student would earn $45 from that sponsor. If you had 5 sponsors, that’s $225 you’ve raised for the Practice-A-Thon!
Is my donation immediate?
If you make a flat donation, your donation will be processed immediately and appear in our donation totals. If you choose a per-minute pledge, your per-minute donation will be charged at the end of the fundraiser based on the number of minutes the student you are supporting completed. Donation totals will increase as students enter their practice minutes.