It's time to move forward. Our music program has always consisted of only a marching band and a concert band. In most cases, the same instruments were used for both settings. We would like to give our percussionists the correct instruments.
Our students have always made lemons out of lemonade.
Our school is located in a very rural area and although our community is very supportive in fundraising efforts, the money is usually spent on the basic needs and running the program. I would like to get a real jazz/pep band going and as we continually use pieces and parts of our marching/concert equipment for each group, I would like to give our drummers a chance to play on a real set for the small group we want to start. Our percussion players need to learn this instrument to help them be on a level playing field when it comes to scholarship auditions after high school. I believe a true drum set will give them the confidence and experience needed for that purpose.
My Project
One drum set is all we are asking for help with. We have been lucky in the past, thanks to the larger schools in our area. When they receive new equipment, some have donated their older stuff to us. We trade in three instruments to get one repaired and in good working order. I would like to present this drum set as an incentive for our percussion players to work hard and earn a spot in the spotlight. Trying to play jazz and pep arrangements on pieces of concert and marching instruments is a challenge, but putting this set out there will truly inspire these students to become better musicians. It will give the band as a whole the chance to perform in a jazz setting and "look" like the other bands there. It's not much, but it's a start.
This will help our students develop a smaller group and be able to play some music arranged for jazz and pep bands.
They need to have this experience to help them when they go on to college and for some of them, the only way they will play on a set like this is through this donation. Since most of our fundraising efforts are geared towards transportation and repairs, any help will be greatly appreciated.
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