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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Almore from Richmond, VA is requesting musical instruments through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Lay Your Head on My Shoulder...Rest!

Help me give my students high-quality shoulder rests to make violin (and viola) playing pain-free, tension-free...and a pleasure.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Almore's classroom raised $286

This project is fully funded

My Students

I am so honored to teach 4th and 5th grade string/orchestra students in four Richmond elementary schools. This year the RPS string teaching faculty is excited to explore the possibility of adding 3rd graders to our rosters! All of my schools are "Title 1" schools.

My students are happy, charming, witty, and wise - I am sure that among my brilliant, curious, hard-working students sits the next Regina Carter, the next Boyd Tinsley, the next Esperanza Spalding.

Even though the school year is well underway, and we have begun rehearsing, I have had so many students approach me in the hallways asking whether or not it is too late to join the orchestra! I tell them, “It’s never too late!” I truly believe that exposure to instrumental ensemble music at this age lays a strong foundation of discipline, teamwork, self-esteem, and a love of all things beautiful and sweet in life. In short, Music is Brain-Training.

My goal is to acquire the optimal tools needed to provide my orchestra students with the very best possible “set-up,” i.e. the foundational skill set. My students are very eager for the opportunity to play stringed instruments, and they are up to the challenge!

My Project

My beginning violin and viola students need shoulder rests in order to hold their instrument correctly, with no pain or tension. My students are hard-working and they are trying their best to learn proper upper string technique. I want to give them a “textbook” foundation so that when I send them to middle school, they will continue to blossom.

Properly fitting shoulder rests will allow my students to “free” their left hand, enabling them to develop a healthy, pain-free technique.

If you are reading this and have played the violin, you know that one of the more challenging aspects is actually holding the violin. If you have never touched a violin, you might not realize that the violin, ideally, is held without the hands at all. Of course, the left hand helps support the violin, but that hand needs to be free to move. A shoulder rest allows the violinist to move the left hand independently.

If a violinist never learns the correct “set up,” they may end up quitting, or they may experience debilitating pain later in life. Even professional/career violinists have had to quit because of shoulder issues and severe pain in the jaw.

Most string teachers use a foam sponge at first, mainly because of the expense. However, children who take private lessons are almost always outfitted with a shoulder rest. I do not want expense to create inequity for my students.

For many students, a well-fitting shoulder rest can make all the difference between quitting and their continued involvement with music. We will eventually need more shoulder rests, but your contribution will give us enough for a ”rehearsal set” for my largest class.

Project tagged as

Richmond, VA
Grades 3-5
Music
Performing Arts
Musical Instruments
Nearly all students from low‑income households

Ms. Almore J.H. Blackwell Elementary School Grades 3-5

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Richmond, VA 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

100 students impacted 8donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

Violin Shoulder Rest • Woodwind and Brasswind $13.99 10 $139.90

Violin Shoulder Rest • Woodwind and Brasswind $13.99 5 $69.95

Materials cost			$209.85
Vendor shipping charges			FREE
Sales tax			$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee			$3.15
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$243.00
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$42.88
Total project goal			$285.88
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$285.88
8 Donors			-$275.29
Donations toward project cost			-$243.00
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$32.29
Excluded support for DonorsChoose			-$10.59
Still needed View calculation Hide calculation			$0.00

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

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Project Activity

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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. Almore and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

This teacher needs your help!

Lay Your Head on My Shoulder...Rest!

This project is fully funded

My Students

My Project

Project tagged as

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Give the most requested basic supplies

Give back to your community

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.