Partners: Christ United Methodist Church, Mississippi Music. MAPE, Jackson Public School District, Blackburn Middle School, Olde Towne Middle School, Chastain Middle School, Hardy Middle School, Whitten Middle School
Students impacted: 2,737
Volunteers: 20+
Partnership duration: 2 years
In June 2015, the Mississippi Community Symphonic Band’s all-volunteer Mississippi Swing! Big Band launched a used musical instrument drive to benefit local middle school band programs. The group collected 30 instruments, which were refurbished and given to schools to use as loaners for families that couldn't afford to rent or purchase musical instruments. In its second year, community support for the project continued to be tremendous, with 32 instruments distributed in 2016. As of January 2017, more than 70 instruments have been collected with an estimated value of over $14,000.
Activities:
- Collaborative effort involving educators, local musicians, instrument repair technicians, local businesses
- Instrument repairs done by local volunteer musicians
- Donated instruments are tested, cleaned, and repaired, as funding allows
- Donated instruments become property of the schools
Impacts
- Increased student participation in instrumental music
- Majority of donated instruments are in use
- Musicians expressed joy in knowing their instruments would be used and appreciated by future generations
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