Britney Spears goes back to school – for a cause

Singer hands over donation

Thursday, 2 October 2008

A New York middle school got a surprise visitor: Britney Spears.

The pop star dropped by John Philip Sousa M. S. 142 in The
Bronx on Wednesday to present a $10,000 check to be used as an
endowment for the school's year-old music program.

As she entered the school (which was not in session due to the
Jewish holiday), she was treated to a performance by the Sousatones,
the school's eight-piece band, led by director Sal Mazzola.

"When you're ready to take us on the road for an opening act, we're ready," he told Spears.

Spears, who plans to tour in 2009, replied: "You'll be the first people I call."

Mazzola
told the students in advance they would be playing for a "high-profile"
guest, but they only learned it would be Spears earlier that morning.
(Some kids guessed it would be P. Diddy or Barack Obama.)

Spears was also serenaded by a chorus of seven girls, including soloist Rachel Lewis, 14, who sang "I Am Woman."

The donation came from Elizabeth Arden, which is behind Spears's fragrances, Believe, Fantasy and Curious.

"I really enjoyed the time I spent at the John Philip Souza
Middle School," Spears tells PEOPLE. "I've been working with the people
at Elizabeth Arden for the last five years, and I know how passionate
everyone is about the school. I loved hearing the school orchestra and
the children sang so beautifully. The fact that Elizabeth Arden made
such a large donation for the school music studio in my name was so
generous."