Blues News

KTBA Donates Ukuleles to Charter School Music Program

GREECE, NY – Thanks to your donations, Keeping the Blues Alive purchased twenty (20) brand new ukuleles for the music program at Rochester Academy Charter School!

“Our school does not have many instruments for students to explore and create with,” Ms. Fisher explains. “Ukuleles will allow students to learn a string instrument, create songs, play in an ensemble and explore their musical interests.

My students are natural musicians and amaze me every day. They really love music and have shown great growth this year. Before this year, many students did not know how to read music and did not have any knowledge of musical concepts such as dynamics, harmony, and pulse. They want to learn about composers, music genres and instruments.”

According to Ms. Fisher, many of her young musicians come into the classroom feeling alone and isolated. However, after participating in the various musical activities, they leave with a sense of belonging and a feeling of family.

“My students come from all different walks of life and living situations,” she adds.  “I strive to create an environment in my classroom that allows everyone to feel like they belong and have a voice. Students often love creating music because they are able to express themselves.

As she planned for the new school year 2019-2020, she was looking at the music instrument selection at school to take an appropriate inventory.  Her students loved to come to music class to create and learn. Her classroom served as a safe haven for many students. Unfortunately, they were not able to play anything other than drums. 

“Ukuleles will enable my students to explore their musicality in a new deeper way. Ukuleles use the treble clef which would allow students to use that knowledge of music notation. These instruments will allow the information and music styles to come alive for students.”

Thanks to Joe Bonamassa fans and music lovers like you, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation was able to fund Ms. Fisher’s ukulele project! 20 ukuleles will be delivered to the school in time for summer preparations!

We look forward to catching up with Ms. Fisher once the kids get back into the weekly schedules!

Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation is a 501c3 organization that makes a donation to a school in need of music instruments, supplies, sheet music, and more every week!

Your donation helps us keep music in schools, while preserving blues heritage. Without your support, we would not be able to reach as many students around the country.

We are grateful for your generosity.  To date, KTBA has reached over 63,000 students by sponsoring over 400 various music projects! The journey has been incredible!

If you would like to help us to continue to grow, click here to make a donation! All donations are fully tax-deductible!

Thank you for keeping music education in schools!

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