Rattling Bones with a Xylophone: Help Us Complete Our Band

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

All students deserve a quality education. When several mallet instruments were damaged and stolen from our school, this quality education was stolen from my students. Please help me provide students with the learning experiences they deserve by donating a xylophone.

My students are the active agents of positive change in our society.

They are outspoken in their beliefs and actions. Their ideas become realities when they exert their limitless minds and efforts. They are active volunteers in both community and school programs, honorary scholars, and overall wonderful human beings of great depth. Our school is located in a high-crime area. Over 90% of the school’s population receive free or reduced lunch. One-sixth of my class enrollment has special needs. Some of the school’s population are first-generation Americans and second-language learners. Many students will be the first out of their family to graduate. Despite what many would consider disadvantages, my students are the best of the best. They range from freshmen to seniors. Many of them excel academically, athletically, and musically in high school, as well as beyond.

My Project

Concert Band is composed of various students, many who have never played an instrument. Rehearsal is everyday. In class, students develop musicianship, obtain fundamental playing technique, and gain performance experience. They perform in formal concerts, school events, community events, and parades. For some students, playing the xylophone provides an environment of comfort. One year ago, I taught a student who has very severe special needs how to play xylophone. She seldom responded to any kind of communication. She only stared forward without eye contact. I remember her first words. I asked her to assist her fellow mallet player with a difficult passage. While working with the rest of the class, I heard a voice besides my own. A student whispered to me, “Ms. C, you hear that? She’s talking.” I was shocked. I thought it was a case of shyness. It was later revealed to me that Band was the only class she participated in, and that I was the only teacher she spoke to.

All students deserve a quality education.

Please help me provide students with a quality education by donating a xylophone. The xylophone will be used by first and second year Concert Band students. Beginning students will have the opportunity to learn fundamental mallet technique. Advanced students will continually improve upon their playing technique. Along with gaining playing experiences, it will provide students with many new opportunities or even profoundly affect a student like the special needs student I described to you.