We have a wonderfully supportive administration and community, but unfortunately we also have an economically struggling community. A major source of employment closed down this year and subsequently forced a lot of kids who were renting instruments out of band & orchestra. We definitely have the intelligence and the desire to have a fantastic program, we are just lacking quality equipment. The upright basses all have splits and cracks in them and all but one are missing soundposts, and only one has a functioning end-pin. We are also lacking on tenor saxophones which most parents refuse to rent from a music store, however there are tons of kids who want to play these instruments. I can handle most basic repairs on instruments, but our basses and tenor saxes are beyond all conceivable help, they have been in the district for 25+ years. Read more »

Imagine wanting to be in band, but knowing your parents can't afford to get you an instrument. When I do band recruitment, the 1st questions from many students are, "Is band free?" "Does it cost anything to get an instrument?" "I want to be in band, but my family cannot afford to rent or buy an instrument" My students attend a Title 1 public school where most kids qualify for free breakfast and free lunch. Our band program has started to grow thanks to the efforts of generous people who see how important music education is to these children's whole person education. But we are still lacking instruments to fill in the gaps of those who cannot get their own. Making music together is for many of my students the highlight of their school day.

Playing an instrument gives them an opportunity to develop socially, cooperatively and musically. It teaches them how to be responsible young adults. Band students consistently become better readers, better at math and solve problems more quickly than non musicians. Please donate an instrument or money TODAY to help my students grow into well rounded, educated and critical thinkers. THANK YOU!!Read more »

We need more baritones. I have a good low brass section but not enough instruments. Low brass instruments are among the most expensive if you want a good sound. Please help my little niños of south Phoenix play brass!!Read more »

The instrumental music students at Lake Havasu High School would greatly appreciate help with beefing up our instrument inventory. Lake Havasu City is located about 3 hours west of Phoenix and about 2 ½ hours south of Las Vegas so we do not have any music stores nearby. Most of the students at our school participate in the free or reduced lunch program.
First of all, our band room is not designed, acoustically or dimensionally, to be a band room. Several years ago, for unknown reasons to me, the former, beautiful, tiered, large band room was paved over to make a storage room for community as well as high school theater sets. This should demonstrate the school district’s past discouragement for the music program.
Secondly, most of the instruments that my students are using are from a few decades ago and many of the cases are coming apart. When cases deteriorate, obviously, the instruments dry-up and require extensive repair and eventually are in bad shape overall. We currently need two piccolos (we have one, but it doesn't work because it is warped and curved!), two 4-valve euphoniums, two sousaphone cases, three trumpets. We also need 3 full-sized cellos, and two full-sized violas. Our euphoniums are from the 1970s before our current school district existed (instruments are labeled Mohave county school district.) Our sousaphone cases are literally held together by bungee cords, and the chip board has been broken through to reveal the insulation in the cases.
Last week a custodian informed me that there were several string instruments stored in a small room located above the auditorium where the air filters and air conditioning unit is located. I went up there with him to find a plethora of ¾ sized violas and ¾ sized cellos of which we had zero previously. The string instruments we do have were made in 1960, and they actually sound great! The problem is that they are mostly ¾ size which is difficult for most high school students to play.
The bass drum carriers for our marching band are in such terrible shape that they actually cause bruises and physical injuries to the students. We ordered 4 new ones this year, but those new ones do not fit anyone with a large body frame. Two of our larger drummers needed to once again use the old style of carrier which was painful for them to use.
Sadly, I have had to turn away some students from our orchestra program because I did not have a school instrument for them to play, and their families were not able to afford the rent from the distributor we use. Fortunately, we do have some support with community members, clubs, and businesses to help us, but the cost of new instruments are so high that the money we do get is used quickly. The former band director used money to travel and compete with the students, but he did not invest any money towards instruments, instrument repair, nor music stands (which are also falling apart.) Using the money we (students, families, and I) have raised on purchasing more instruments that are gently used rather than a smaller number of instruments that are new would be a wise investment for us because we need so many. The students have been eager and determined to help with fundraising to improve our program even though some will be graduating soon. They are excited about leaving a positive legacy behind and supporting the program that helped them so much.
Read more »

Our program is thriving at Sunset Vista Elementary school! With our growth this year, our instrument pool is running short, even thought we've borrowed inventories of 2 more schools besides our self! We need some lower playing instruments to help beef up our beginning and returning bands this and next year! With rental costs so high for these instruments, we try to supply the students that want to play them an instrument so they have the opportunity to be and play in band for years to come!Read more »

My students are from lower income families such as refugees that aren't able to afford even $20 a month for an instrument let alone an $8 book. Please help with anything you can. These students really deserve a chance to play an instrument. Wouldn't you want a chance to play. I have students that really want to learn and we don't have the instruments. Please, please, please we need cymbals very desperately. We have no crash cymbals or stands and the hi hats are so flimsy and bent it is ridiculous not to mention the hi hat stand itself must be from the 50's. It's rally bad. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.Read more »

My students are so enthusiastic about playing their instruments and creating great music. They have gotten very creative with ways to create snare drum stands. They would feel so empowered if they were able to play on equipment that is adjustable and sturdy.

Also, I have many students who are aching to play Tuba or Euphonium, but we do not have any at our school. It would be so wonderful if these students could play these instruments. They are too expensive for the students to rent, but they make a huge difference in the band's sound.

My students are discovering talents they never knew they had. Please donate an instrument or money TODAY!Read more »

The Kofa High School band program has given students the opportunity to excel in an supportive and safe environment. Because of this, more students want to join the program and be a part! We, however, do not have the instruments to support these students and do not have the money to purchase the instruments. Each one of the above instruments will be played and cared for by multiple students here at Kofa High School, and will help change their lives.

Our motto is: "Create the Tradition...Strive for Excellence". With your donation, you can help Create the Tradition so that our students can continue to Strive for Excellence.Read more »

Although over 70 percent of our student body receives free and reduced price lunch, our band students are extremely dedicated. Our students enjoy making music and aspire to grow as musicians. They view band as a haven from their lives.

Over the past number of years, our high school program has received consistently high ratings at festivals and competitions. Unfortunately, our district has been unable to assist with the purchase of instruments for over twelve years now and many of our instruments are being used well beyond their expected lifetime.

We are committed to letting all interested students participate in band which often means we need to provide instruments to our students when families cannot afford to purchase or rent an instrument. While we remain committed to this mission, it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage without support.

Our first priority is a bassoon. Our high school has never owned a bassoon. We actually borrow our bassoon from another local high school. We would like a bassoon to call our own so that we may return the loaned bassoon.Read more »

We are a Title I School, with 48% of our student body receiving free and reduced lunch. Our Bands & Choir consistently receive ratings of Superior with Distinction at Festival performances. Consequently, our Band, Jazz Band and Choir Program has an enrollment of almost 200 students (roughly 30% of the student body). With four Title I schools as feeder schools, most parents cannot afford to rent or purchase an instrument for their child. We have exhausted our inventory of school-owned instruments to rent, and still have quite a few students with the passion and desire to play, but no instrument on which to play or practice.

Desert Sky is also the host site for the annual Arizona Music Educator's Association, (AMEA), Solo & Ensemble Festival, which attracts over 600 students from schools as far south as Casa Grande and as far north as Prescott Valley. Read more »

Moon Valley does not have a budget for new or used instruments. All of the Band and String instruments are more than 20 years old. We have a great need for marching percussion and brass.

Currently, in string orchestra, I have 4 people interested in playing string bass and only 1 working bass. I have 5 students interested in playing cello, but only 3 playable celli.

These are great kids - hungry to learn and create. They just do not have the resources.Read more »