In our highly diverse urban school, our students represent over 30 nations. Over 60% of the student body are economically disadvantaged, more than 75% have high needs and nearly 60% of the students do not speak English as their first language. Even so, miracles happen every day.
Regardless of the challenges that my students face, when they come to music class, they are given a space and medium to help them rise above their daily struggles.
As the band director, my goal is to prepare them to be musically literate, passionate about music and appreciative citizens within their community. Above all, I want my students to be able to contribute as instrumentalists, in civic, social, and worship organizations, according to their wishes and lifestyles.
Most of our students have been playing their instruments for two or three years before reaching high school.
With your donation, you have the power to be a miracle worker and provide both support and opportunity that otherwise would not exist in our underfunded arts program.
My Project
Percussionists typically play multiple instruments during any one piece of music and are often required to transition between instruments quickly. At this time, our students place the crash cymbals on a table with a towel for a cushion. This takes up valuable space and time, as the individuals have to be careful to rest the cymbals quietly. The cradle would provide a vertical, dedicated resting place for the cymbals, creating an ergonomic solution to expedite transitions, with less chance of unintended sound.
As our band has progressed and is able to play more sophisticated music, we have found that our current cymbals are inadequate for the level of excellence for which we strive.
These Zildjian Symphonic Viennese Crash Cymbals would have a full-bodied response and a balanced combination of overtones, making it possible to create a more authentic and satisfying rendition of the music we play.
High-quality instruments and proper equipment help train students to be discerning musicians with an organized, disciplined approach to their practice. With your help to purchase the crash cymbals and cradle, these valuable items would be used by students for decades to come.
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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 Ms. Smith and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.