The Plateau Community Orchestra, in partnership with the Enumclaw School District, has been awarded $5,000 through the 2009 King County Arts Cultural Facilities Program to assist with the Enumclaw High School auditorium lighting upgrade.

Fifty-eight organizations in King County applied for a total of $690,000 in 4Culture equipment grants. Due to the economy, funding levels are based on intake from the 1 percent hotel/motel tax for the arts fund and 4Culture had only $170,000 available. Of the 58 organizations, only 33 received funding. Most grant amounts were for less than what the Enumclaw High School auditorium is receiving. Debra Twersky, 4Culture coordinator, congratulated the group’s application on the quality and detail of the information provided and credits that diligence with the successful funding level.

The grant will be used to purchase new lighting instruments to be mounted above the stage and will benefit all auditorium users.

Meanwhile, Plateau Community Orchestra continues to recruit new instrumentalists whether they play percussion, wind, brass or strings.

This season looks to be their best, with Lynda Alley accepting the teaching position at Enumclaw High School, the Plateau Community Orchestra welcomes Erin Lampe as its conductor. Lampe teaches middle school music in the White River School District and is the perfect fit for the growing community orchestra.

Rehearsals are 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Enumclaw Middle School. The holiday concert “Sounds of the Season” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in the EHS auditorium.