ACMS Instrument Needs

Moderation state
funded
Grant Applicant
Natalia Tomasello
School Site
Alder Creek Middle School
Grant Category
Art/ Music
Grant Date
2026-06-09T12:00:00
Description

The Alder Creek Middle School Band Program is requesting the purchase of six additional tubas. Currently, the program has eight functioning tubas, four newer instruments and four older instruments that are at least 15 years old. 

The purpose of acquiring six additional tubas is to provide easier access for students across all grade levels. Ideally, each tuba student would have access to two instruments, one kept at school and one kept at home, so they do not need to transport the instrument back and forth daily. This would allow for approximately two tuba players per class to have consistent access to instruments in both locations.

Currently, two of our 6th grade students have school-owned tubas assigned for home use. As a result, our 7th and 8th grade tuba players do not currently have the same option and must either transport their tubas back and forth each day or purchase or rent a personal instrument to avoid carrying the school instrument. While all tuba players have access to an instrument during class at school, additional tubas would significantly improve accessibility and reduce the physical burden of transporting these large instruments.

Benefits of Program

Tubas are very large and heavy. Our students struggle with the ability or strength to haul them to school and back every day. Ideally, it would be more equitable for our Tuba players to have a practice instrument at home and a tuba at school. We have students who live in apartment buildings with multiple staircases to climb. We also have students who cannot get picked up from school, leaving them with little to no option to bring their tuba home since our transportation system at TTUSD does not allow for large instruments to be placed on the bus. 

Success of Program

Since 2020, this program has grown exponentially, growing from 63 students to 140 students for the 2025/2026 school year. The students who participate in the ACMS band program work very hard all year long. They perform at least 5 times a year, and if they are in additional ensembles, they can perform up to 15 - 20 times a year. Students in this program care a lot about their personal growth as musicians. They are engaged, respectful and dedicated in each class. Some students challenge themselves even more by taking additional lessons outside of school to improve their skill set. In my opinion, there is no one more deserving of access to instruments than the students at ACMS. 

Implementation

If granted, we would switch out the old with the new and send the old tubas home with our 7th and 8th grade students. They would be utilized immediately once delivered. The instruments purchased with this grant will be used daily in every band class. 

Can you share this grant with your grade level or subject team?

ACMS is always willing to help accommodate the other music programs in TTUSD if there was ever a need. The high school and middle school band programs share resources consistently throughout the school year. 

Sustainability
If granted, these tubas will be able to last at least 15 years or more. At ACMS we stress the importance of instrument care and handling. We service our instruments regularly.
Amount Funded
$15373.00
Individual Budget Items(s)
$28207 - 6 Yamaha Tubas
Shipping
$0.00
Taxes
$2538.66
Other funding sources

Measure AA and TEMPO have been the funding sources for other financial aspects of running the band program at ACMS (i.e. instrument repair (thousands per year), music repertoire, music supplies (reeds, mouthpieces, valve oil, instrument tools to fix instruments, etc .), and travel (busses, festival registration costs, etc). That being said, there is only so much funding we receive from both Measure AA and TEMPO. The amount of money needed to purchase new tubas would simply drain both accounts immediately, leaving us with no other funds to support the program. 

File Uploads
Alder Creek MS Tubas MAQmfq13522701.pdf (13.58 KB)