Do you remember the excitement of playing your band instrument and creating music with your friends? It's one of the greatest feelings in the world... especially to my students, who are in their beginning years of band. But then, something unexpected happens and your instrument needs to be fixed.
My band room is full of awesome, hardworking students, who come from very diverse backgrounds.
Our school opened in the fall of 2009, is a mixture of suburban/urban students, and is currently over 50% free and reduced lunch.
Our band program is rapidly growing, but the budget is shrinking. Many students cannot afford an instrument and we do our best to find them one. Most of these instruments, and ones my students are bringing to class, are older "hand-me-downs" and need repair. Or, being middle school-aged, the unexpected happens and their instrument needs to be repaired. It takes at minimum 1-2 weeks for our local music stores to repair and return a single instrument (in the "off" season). That is a long time to not participate in band class!
My Project
These instrument repair items will help the majority of our repair needs for many years to come. I teach my students how to take care of their instruments and how to prevent damage, but minor repairs are inevitable and accidents do happen.
I help my students understand that pride comes only after hard work and teamwork. I love to see the expressions on their faces after they have mastered their first few notes, or earned thunderous applause in a performance. The more instruments I can keep in good working order, and in my students' hands, the more students that can participate in amazing musical experiences.
You can help make this happen! Imagine a student holding their instrument at a concert and their parent snapping photos. They feel a tremendous amount of pride inside, because of your gift. In turn, this pride is reflected throughout our school and community.
The opportunity to provide a quality music education has always been a top priority.
Music changes lives, and I have seen this happen many times. Middle school has three of the toughest years for students, and my band program gives them a place to belong, to be loved and accepted. Any time I cannot help a child, my heart breaks.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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 Mrs. Kimberly Wise and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
