Bungee cords, rubber bands and duct tape have become essential supplies in my classroom. Without these items, our instruments will fall out of their badly broken cases! The students are enthusiastic about bringing their instruments home to practice, but need new cases to protect their instruments.
Boundless energy, spirit and unyielding enthusiasm are the first things that come to mind when asked to describe my students.
Although only in middle school, many of them are mature beyond their years. They give their time and talents willingly and with great passion. In the month of May, they will perform in a multitude of concerts, festivals and a state adjudication contest.
Our middle school is in an urban area with a wonderfully diverse student body. Although they hail from many corners of the globe, it is the love of music that brings them together!
My Project
The overwhelming majority of my 250 band students do not own their own instruments, nor can they afford to. It is my duty to provide each child with a working instrument to use both in school and for practicing at home. Many of our instruments have been in the school since the 1970's! As a result, the cases are falling apart. We do the absolute best we can with duct tape, bungee cords and rubber bands.
With these materials more of my students will have new cases to protect their instruments. In addition, the valve oil, water key corks and trombone slide oil will help keep the brass instruments in optimum working condition. Finally, the bell mallets will replace our very old ones, which are being held together by duct tape.
As we prepare for another busy concert and festival season, new cases and basic maintenance supplies will make an enormous difference for my students.
The cases will allow more students to bring instruments home to practice and will protect the instruments from further damage. The corks and lubricants will help keep the instruments working for years to come. With this grant, our instruments will last longer, so more students can be touched by music's transcendent power.
More than half of 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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