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Mrs. Simonson from Spartanburg, SC is requesting musical instruments through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Simonson is requesting

Instrumental to Our Success: Exploring New Horizons in Choir

My students need instruments to enhance their singing. Adding instruments to our choral music education will help them broaden their horizons and experience new sounds and ensemble opportunities.

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Simonson's classroom raised $341

This project is fully funded

My Students

I teach choir at the middle school level. In our school, sixth through eighth grade students are involved in the school performing arts program. Nearly half our school is involved in the performing arts with many students performing in multiple areas. These ensembles include band, orchestra, choir, drama, and the school musical. These students are not only learning enjoyable hobbies, but also lifelong skills through the performing arts. Students learn teamwork and leadership skills through their involvement in music and drama ensembles.

My Project

Choral music is no longer limited to singing with the piano. My students enjoy musical pieces that call for percussion accompaniment or other instrumentation. Over the past year, we have been exploring new styles of music, such as jazz, in an effort to expand our musical knowledge and truly bring music to life. My aim is to help my students develop into total musicians, not just singers of songs.

While we can always invite instrumentalists to come in and accompany us, it would be more fun and educational to experiment with these instruments during rehearsal.

These resources would allow us the opportunity to not only add more creative instrumentation to our performances, but also experience new ways to make music and break out of the mold of boring, one-note choirs.

Guitars have long been used to accompany music, but ukuleles are becoming the hot new item to use in pop and folk songs due to their ease of learning. A ukulele allow us to explore new accompaniment styles as well as playing while singing. We have a djembe in the classroom that we use already but would like to add a cajon for a different rhythmic experience. Many songs call for these drums because of their simplistic impact. They create great sound without taking up much space, perfect for a non-instrumental program! And boomwhackers may seem a bit...wacky, but they can be incorporated into our program as well. There are a few pieces of choral music that call for boomwhackers...what fun that would be! Finally, the pedal would allow our co-teacher and accompanist the ability to turn pages on her iPad while playing for us. We are so thankful for your generosity in helping us explore new musical sounds and combinations!

Mrs. Simonson J.G. McCracken Middle School Grades 6-8

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Spartanburg, SC View local requests

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

120 students impacted 4donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
DUO BT-106 Wireless Pedal Control • Woodwind and Brasswind $99.00 1 $99.00
Jam Cajon • Woodwind and Brasswind $69.99 1 $69.99
Makala Soprano Ukulele • Woodwind and Brasswind $49.99 1 $49.99
C Major Diatonic Scale Set (Upper Octave) Boomwhackers Tuned Percussion Tubes • Woodwind and Brasswind $19.99 1 $19.99

Materials cost

$238.97

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $16.85

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.58

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$289.40

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$51.07

Total project goal

$340.47

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $340.47

3 Donors

-$276.96

Donations toward project cost

-$235.42

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$41.54

match offer

-$63.50

Match offer toward project cost

-$53.98

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$9.52

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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. Simonson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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