Who are our music students? They are a family of socioeconomically impoverished, at-risk, culturally deprived young people who come from rural, sheltered and neglected single parent homes, and are often hungry (72% receive free and reduced lunch).
Six years ago our small, rural, Northern Michigan school district was forced to cut K-12 music due to budget constraints.
We now have one music educator who teaches our entire student body, kindergarten through twelfth grade with the volunteer support of his wife who acts as color guard instructor on top of her duties as a high school math teacher in the district.
Many of our students are involved in extra curricular activities, helping to fill their time positively and productively with supportive adults. One of these such activities is color guard, which provides a year round "home" for these students and teaches them self expression and confidence through body movement and performance.
Today, six years after "the day the music died" our music program is strong and successful, providing a home and a family to so many who otherwise would have none.
My Project
My color guard students are ready to learn more! As a young guard we have focused primarily on body movement and flag technique. As my students grow older, with strong fundamental skills, it's time to expose them to new equipment and expand their content base.
It's time to pull out the "big guns"--rifles, that is.
We are fortunate enough to have received a few rifles from neighboring districts who no longer have a color guard program but we are experiencing consistent and indeterminable growth. In order for each of our current Varsity Guard members to have their own rifle for both practice and performance, we are in need of 5 more.
The rifle is truly a fundamental piece of equipment on the marching band field today. Rifles add so much to the visual representation of a marching band show. Through
spinning, tossing, and various other elaborate moves, the rifle can captivate any observer. Rifles are relatively inexpensive (remember, they are only made of wood) but with our economically challenged students and school even the most inexpensive options are out of reach, without your help.
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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 Mrs. Deike and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
