waco, tx – Thanks to your donations this week, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation donated new trumpets, clarinets and supplies at Lake Air Mont Magnet school!
In Waco, Texas, Mr. Woods is preparing for his five (5) music courses – Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and even a Steel Drum Ensemble! However, with almost all of the students receiving free or reduced lunch, there is little room for parents to supply their children with enough music instruments to go around. This means that in between class courses, some students are unable to practice, which slows down the overall productivity of the classroom.
Lake Air is a public Montessori Magnet School. Montessori schools are known for their forward thinking teaching methods and practices. By nurturing a creative learning environment and allowing students to grow on their own pace, Montessori schools typically produce a well-rounded and socially fit student. The educational method is characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect to children’s natural psychological development. As it translates to music, students learn how to communicate, work and perform individually and in groups. There are plenty of outlets for both.
In an effort to raise more money for the instruments, Mr. Woods entered a project request to outfit his bands with new clarinets, trumpets, and their respective mouthpieces.
“The band has grown in size in the two years of existence (80 members in 2012, 177 in 2014) and quality, and the students are excited to make music,” he adds. “I teach 4th graders through 8th grade, and classes are multi-age (4th-6th graders and 7th-8th graders).
With these additional musical instruments, not as many of my students will have to share instruments with other students. This will allow the students to take their instruments home and practice. Regular practice is a key factor in how quickly the student improves, and how successful they will be as a musician.
By teaming up with the Donors Choose Community, we were able to successfully fund Mr. Woods’ project!
If you would like to make a donation and support music education, click here!
