KTBA Donates Ukuleles to Young, Bronx, NY Musicians

Teacher Name: Ms. Distefano PS 71 Rose E. Scala School – New York, NY

BRONX, NY, USA – Thanks to your donations, KTBA donated twenty-four brand new ukuleles to the music program at PS 71. This will enable K-8 music teacher, Ms. DiStefano, the ability to exercise a ukulele ensemble for the school!

“Music is fundamental to the development and growth of every child,” Ms. DiStefano says. “When students come to a music class, they expect to sing or play music. My students are eager and excited, especially when learning how to play a musical instrument.”

DiStefano teaches in an urban K-8 school located in the Bronx. She is responsible for nurturing the musical growth and success of at least 600 students or more, at any given time of the year.

“Playing a musical instrument is a skill that lasts a lifetime,” she explains. “In my classroom, I am fostering teamwork, autonomy, and a life-long passion for music. Students will learn to work cohesively as a unit when playing in an ensemble; [they] understand the importance of independent practice and work on using the proper communicative skills between musicians and conductors.

My students are budding musicians learning how to analyze, create, and perform music. As a music teacher, I am providing my classes an opportunity to explore their creative side while giving them a well-rounded music education.”

Class sizes at PS 71 account for up to 33 students per classroom. The ukulele is small and easy to manage and situate in this setting. In terms of volume, playing ukulele is softer when all musicians are practicing simultaneously.

With this donation, participating students will learn basic strumming techniques, simple chord progressions, and traditional folk melodies.

“Students will start building a vast repertoire on the ukulele and in order for this music making process to occur we need these instruments to play,” she adds. “I would like to also incorporate song writing/composition with my classes. Having these instruments will motivate and inspire them to be their very best musician and composer.”

Thanks to the generosity of Joe Bonamassa fans and music lovers like you, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation was able to donate these brand new ukuleles to Ms. DiStefano’s music program.
Ms. DiStefano expresses her gratitude for the instruments:

Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, Inc.,

Thank you so much for your generous donation. Now my musicians can all start learning how to jam on the ukulele. It is beneficial to maximize learning time if every student has an instrument to practice on. Your contribution will give my students that new opportunity to play and create music using the ukuleles. We appreciate your support of the arts and music education. Stay tuned for our pics!

With gratitude, Ms. DiStefano

Every week, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation makes a donation to a school in need of music instruments, supplies, sheet music, and more! Your donation helps us to keep music in schools, while preserving blues heritage.

If you would like to help us fund next week’s project, click here to make a donation! All donations are fully tax-deductible!

Thank you for keeping music education in schools!

Shawn Hagood for Keeping the Blues Alive