A group of music students from Georgian Bay Secondary School got a big surprise last week.

They had gathered Wednesday with music department head Patrick Delaney to thank members of the Apple Harvest Craft Show Committee for a donation they were dropping off at the school.

What they didn't know was the amount.

Delaney has been making the rounds of service clubs and other groups, presenting "A plan for the future," an outline of the school's music program and how much it costs to buy music and repair and purchase new instruments.

The approximate cost for repair and maintenance of existing instruments was $4,000 and the wish list for new instruments totalled $25,700.

"Over the past eight years we have worked hard to raise funds to keep up with the ever-growing number of young musicians," Delaney told the craft show committee. "At one point we had three or four students sharing one instrument."

To complete the orchestra and meet the musical needs of the students, Delaney said they needed two flutes, two clarinets, two oboes, four alto saxophones, one tenor saxophones, four trumpets, five violins, two cellos, five bass cases, one timpani drum, a set of chimes and a bass guitar amplifier.

Total cost: $25,700.

The craft show cut them a cheque for the total amount.

"They asked us if we had any money, would we be willing to help out with part of their wish list," said craft show member Rod Brebner.

"The committee felt it would be a great way to mark our 25th anniversary by donating $25,000 to the young people of our community," he said, adding they kids were in shock when they found out how much the donation was for.

"They were really excited and very genuinely grateful," said Brebner, "It meant a lot to them and it meant a lot to the committee."

Delaney said he was surprised by the amount of the donation, but noted the Meaford and Thornbury community has been very generous to the program.

"We owe and enormous debt of gratitude to our friends, our families and our neighbours," he said.

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Apple Harvest Craft Show Committee," said Delaney. "These are outstanding young adults and they bring a genuine sense of pride to our community."