The students directly affected by this project are those that have put blood, sweat, and tears into honing their craft. As a result, they have earned themselves a position in the Wind Ensemble (top concert band) or Jazz Band 1 at their school.
Many of these students dedicate upwards of 15-20 hours per week to the improvement of the group, all outside of academic, sports, and work commitments.
Unfortunately, no amount of practice time can replace the importance of quality equipment, which often comes at a substantial cost, especially for high school students.
My Project
When students begin on their chosen instruments, parents and students alike are often thrilled just to have an instrument on hand or in the house. It can be such an exciting time to explore a new hobby! With any luck, students practice often and are successful in their school music programs.
Unfortunately, having access to a high-quality musical instrument and accessories is a near-necessity to lasting student success.
We are usually able to supply students with a high-quality instrument, but many accessories (such as mutes) fall on students to purchase. While these are much less expensive than the instruments with which they are used, they can still create a financial burden for students and their families.
These brass mutes will be used in wind band and jazz band literature that specifically calls for them. Composers notate the use of these mutes when they want a change in the timbre (tone) of a given instrument. While cheaper mutes are available, they often negatively affect they player's experience or don't change the timbre in quite they way that they should.
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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 Mr. Guerrero and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
