Have you ever taken a public bus with a large instrument? My students do it every day. Our old and badly damaged cases are held together by bungee cords and duct tape. Determined to practice, my students continue to travel with them.
My students attend a large middle school in an urban setting.
They speak a multitude of languages, hail from different places and are from a variety of academic tracks. Music is the force that brings them together, for in the band room borders melt away and differences fall quickly to the wayside. What makes them special is their frenetic energy, love for music, learning and life. When not in class, my students participate in many extra-curricular ensembles, regional festivals and competitions. They are determined to succeed, in spite of a severe lack of resources and funding.
My Project
Since there is no school busing for students in grades 7 and 8, they are forced to take large, broken instrument cases on public buses or walk far distances. Many of my students find it extremely difficult to take the instruments home to practice because the cases are broken. Bungee cords and duct tape will only go so far, especially when there are splinters and sharp edges on the cases which can harm the children. I am requesting cases for some of our euphoniums, French horns, trumpets and percussion equipment. These resources would make it much easier for my students to take their instruments home to practice and to transport them to festivals and concerts within the school and local community.
Home practice is essential to becoming a successful musician.
My students' progress is often hindered due to their inability to carry severely broken cases home. With your help, more of my students will be able to comfortably carry their instruments home. Thank you very much for your time and consideration!
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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. Schecter and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
