The cost of this Kawai Grand Piano is $15147, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. H.'s classroom raised $15,147
This project is fully funded
I teach piano and keyboards at the Morrisania School in the South Bronx. Our school is in the absolute poorest Congressional District in the entire United States. Group piano lessons are provided to about 250 children and individual coaching is provided to about 30 students weekly. As the program has evolved, many students who have graduated from our school continue to study piano by attending Saturday classes. We have also begun to admit students from other schools. Students range in age from 7 to 14 years old. They read music and they understand music theory, but they also play by ear, and do some improvising. They have consistently won competitions ?even those at which much older students compete. They often go out into the community to spread joy to hospitals, hospices, and senior citizens' centers. They routinely perform the music of the great masters in a moving and passionate manner. They also play a good deal of Gospel, popular and holiday music. Many of our children have auditioned for Juilliard, The Manhattan School Of Music, and The Mannes School Of Music. Several have been accepted. We really love music here, but we don't just teach music for its own sake. This piano program was conceived as a vehicle for students to realize the many other benefits that studying music can provide. Among these are increased memory, keener mathematical and analytical skills, discipline, cooperativeness, and a host of other outcomes linked to feelings of greater self-esteem and self-worth.
Our increasing problem is that the one decent piano we have is wearing out. It has been played all day every day for many, many years by students honing their skills for auditions at internationally-renown conservatories. It has also been heavily used at shows, celebrations, and graduations. I have spent every available school (and personal) dollar to maintain this piano, but it is now completely ?fried? and not worth restoring. This remarkable piano program will have to end if we cannot obtain a serviceable piano. Truly, nothing can take the place of a real piano in good condition. Several individuals have offered to donate pianos to us, but these have been unusable, with severely damaged keys and action components. We are begging you to help us acquire a piano worthy of our children's talents.
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 Mr. H. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.