My students need 4 Music Keyboards, which come with free headphones, to allow more kids to take Music Technology classes. The students are learning to read, write, compose and perform their own music!
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Our students are financially challenged. Our Music Technology program has been able to provide students with a way to learn instrumental music without having computers, Internet or keyboards at home. The students work-at-their-own pace and learn to enjoy music-making and creativity.
I currently teach 230 students per week, but will have to teach 350-500+ next year and will need resources to expand our small 8-station music lab into a full-size classroom.
The students are from a very low-income area in Alabama and attend a large elementary school. While other arts programs have been cut in our schools, this program has created a need for the students that has inspired their creative minds through music. The parents have been very appreciative of the idea of music technology and the fact that they do not have to purchase an instrument or supplies for the students to participate. Students love the class and many more have asked to join as spaces open. This class has been important for students with 'special needs,' also. These students, normally not able to handle band or other instruments, have been able to find success in exploring sounds and music through playing keyboards. The students in our school thrive on music-making and the joy that it brings them in life.
My Project
The music resources will be used to allow additional students to participate in the music technology program. They can do many things with the keyboards (and computers), such as learning to read, write, compose and perform music. Students will learn how to use the keyboards to input notes into the computer using notation software. They can even record their own Cd's. Some of the students' compositions will be posted on our school websites, along with videos created of music programs using the keyboards. The students learn to perform in ensembles and to expand their musical creativity as they grow each year. The program serves all students, regardless of abilities. It allows students to explore music in a non-threatening, fun way and encourages them towards a life-long interest in music.
Donations will help expand our small music lab, currently serving 230 students per week (8 at a time), to 350-500+ students per week as we move into a larger room soon.
It is important to give as many of our students as possible a chance to participate in learning instrumental music without any barriers financially. It is also important that we have enough resources for the students so that the program will work well in a larger-group setting. Students' excitement for music tech is contagious!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Garrett and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.