No More Plywood! Quality Instruments for all Students
My students need access to violas and cellos that reflect their dedication and curiosity for music
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Shieh's classroom raised $2,328
This project is fully funded
My Students
My students attend one of the few schools remaining in the country that is committed to giving every student the experience of learning a musical instrument. This, despite the fact that the vast majority come from low-income households.
All seventh grade students in the school learn a stringed instrument for an entire year.
I wish you could see how excited they get, from the moment they choose their instrument and get assigned an instrument in a special ceremony (spoiler: it involves a nerf foam sword), to when they write their first (super short) songs, to the performance at the end of the year where they cover a song of their choice on the instrument. Their experiences aren't just about music, however: they're about working together, committing themselves to a craft, connecting the arts to the world around them, and fumbling in the creative work of sounds and song. My students do these every day with incredible curiosity, thoughtfulness, and joy.
My Project
No student should have to learn from an instrument made of plywood, yet many of my students have for the past seven years.
With over 70% of students at or below the poverty line, it is up to the school to provide instruments for all students, as they cannot afford to rent or buy their own.
When I began the program, I needed to order dozens of cheap violas and cellos just to make sure there were enough instruments--and even then, we shared four students per instrument. These young musicians are always excited to play, but they also know when the instrument simply won't sound good no matter what they do. Last year, six of my eighth-grade students were accepted into a citywide honors orchestra, and though only one said something to me about it--I could tell they were all self-conscious about playing alongside so many peers who owned their own beautiful instruments. They deserve better.
Enough is enough. I am replacing the plywood instruments, little by little. These new violas and cellos will go a long way towards replacing the worst of the group with instruments that will sound good, play well, and look great. Most importantly, they will reward the enthusiastic practice the students put in with a clear, warm sound. Right now, over a third of the students continue playing their instruments through high school. Help me make it 100%!
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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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 Mr. Shieh and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
