"I want to take my violin home and show my family how well I can play", one of my third grade violinists told me. "They'd be so proud!" With limited violins, students are not able to take home violins. The desire is there, but not the instruments! Help me hand each of my students a violin.
The 1st-4th grade Violin Program at my low-income, Title 1 school started with no budget or materials.
However, thanks to teachers, parents, students and staff dedicated to arts integration and to donors who believe in the transformative power of music, 100 violinists have a classroom set of violins for students to share. While they only get to practice in the classroom, the enthusiasm, dedication, and musical curiosity present in each student is outstanding.
Now, imagine learning a language without being able to practice what you have learned. Not very easy, huh? My violinists see their instruments for only 40 minutes a week and are not able to practice or refine skills over the weekend. As with many skills, practice makes perfect.
My Project
Help me put a violin in the hand of every student with the dream to make music! By funding this project, you will help add a student violin to our instrument library and provide interactive software for the classroom. Giving a child the responsibility of maintaining and practicing their own violin not only allows them to improve their technique and share their instrument with friends and family outside of school, it tells them that they are trusted, responsible, and capable of determining their success.
As can be seen by the shift in school culture since the implementation of the Violin Program, the positive benefits of playing an instrument are numerous. Music education develops a child’s 21st century skills through encouraging creativity and fostering collaboration and self-expression. Additionally, the hands-on process of learning technique encourages cognitive development and skills that transfer to reading and math, such as critical thinking.
Music education should be accessible to every child.
Help put a violin in the hands of every child regardless of income! Transform the way they learn the violin and transform their lives.
More than three‑quarters 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
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 Ms. Crenshaw and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.