ACMS Music Instrument Needs 2024/25

Moderation state
funded
Grant Applicant
Natalia Tomasello
School Site
Alder Creek Middle School
Grant Category
Art/ Music
Grant Date
2024-06-01T12:00:00
Description

The band program at Alder Creek Middle School has grown exponentially in the past 4 years. Currently, there are 107 students in the band program. Music education plays a vital role in shaping well-rounded individuals. Music education fosters creativity, discipline, and critical thinking.  Student works collaboratively to learn their instrument and read music fluently. Studies have shown that students engaged in music perform better academically. By investing in music education at the middle school level, we not only nurture young musicians but also empower future leaders with the skills and empathy needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

This grant requests financial support for the band program at ACMS. There is a vital need for more instruments in the program. When reviewing the rest of the information please consider the impact that music has on our student's lives. 

Benefits of Program

All band students at ACMS will benefit directly from this grant. When reviewing the projected incoming students and looking at the inventory, we will not have enough instruments for the program in the 2024/25 school year. There are currently 47 students in the sixth-grade band. Some deficiencies in our inventory will negatively impact the instrumental balance of the incoming class if we do not get the instruments that we need. This may result in parents having to buy or rent from an outside source. The goal always is to have equity in the program and provide quality instruments for all students participating in the band program here at ACMS. If we do not have enough instruments for the projected amount of students, we will have to turn students away and that is never the goal of our band program. We strive to be an inclusive and community-based program.

Students who play the instruments included in the quote attached will receive the highest benefit of being able to play on new equipment. There are still some instruments in the band program that are well over 20 years old. While some instruments improve with age, 'student model' instruments used by middle school students do not. The normal wear and tear on instruments requires annual repairs. Usually, these instruments are designed to last for 10-15 years. Students playing on old instruments constantly battle mechanical issues associated with years of use as well as pitch and tone issues caused by numerous repairs and cleanings.

The band students at Alder Creek Middle School play music in class every single school day, they perform in multiple concerts a year and dedicate hundreds of hours of practice to improve their craft. We want to be able to provide the same level of excitement that we have been able to in the past years and give that same opportunity to the incoming students at ACMS. The ACMS band program has the most kind, intelligent, and hard-working students in the school.

Success of Program

If awarded, this grant will allow ACMS to have enough instruments for all three grade levels at ACMS (6th, 7th, and 8th). We are projecting between 40 and 50 more incoming band students in the sixth grade for the 2024/25 school year. This grant will supply my students at ACMS with quality, working instruments to use. 

Success would mean the opportunity for equity within the ACMS music program. There are still around 13% of ACMS Band Students who either rent or own an instrument. With that said, there is also still a lack of working instruments that we can provide for all at ACMS. 

Below you will find a chart of instruments in each grade, instruments left in inventory, and projected needs. If this award is granted, we will be able to continue growing our music program at ACMS.       

Grant Needs 

When reviewing the grant needs you will find that we need two tubas. Currently, we have 4 working tubas at ACMS and all of them are being used by students. If we are granted Tubas, we will be able to offer this instrument to two more 6th-grade students next year. This is also a similar story with the flute, alto saxophone, bass clarinet, and euphonium. We also really need a vibraphone. Our vibraphone broke last school year and we have not been able to raise funds to purchase a new one. The vibraphone would be used in jazz bands and concert bands daily, and complete the percussion needs for years to come. 

Implementation

Students will be able to use these instruments at the start of the new school year once the grant is implemented and instruments are purchased. If granted, we will be able to supply enough instruments for each class and each instrument group. I also have students who needed to rent instruments this year because we did not have any working instruments to offer. I would like to be able to offer my incoming 6th-grade band students a variety of instruments that are in good playing condition as I do every year. In a concert band setting it is critical to have representation of all instrument types (Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, and Percussion).

The goal over time is to be able to provide all band students with quality working instruments so that they feel that they can reach their maximum potential in music without having to spend money on a rental instrument, or a real instrument until they feel comfortable making that investment.

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

Mr. Steele (Truckee High School) and I share instruments often based on numbers and instrumentation in our band classes. We agree that if an instrument that is shared is broken or needs repair, we are responsible for paying for it. However, as both our programs grow, it has become more difficult to share due to the depletion of our inventory.

Sustainability
If this grant is offered, the instruments purchased with the grant should last 10 - 15 years based on use and wear and tear. The instruments will be cared for, cleaned, and taken to the repair shop if broken. In future years, there may be other instruments(in different categories) that need to be replaced or purchased. The items on the quote reflect only a small portion of instruments that are needed in the ACMS Band Program. ACMS Band was awarded a grant two years ago. That grant made a huge impact on the program. We are beyond grateful for the Excellence in Education Foundation. Without your support, our program wouldn't have the rate of success that it currently holds. We are very thankful to have continued support year after year. Band Class is a wonderful group to be a part of, students feel a sense of belonging in the band. With your support, we will be able to continue the positive impact music makes on our children's lives.
Amount Funded
$8736.00
Individual Budget Items(s)
$4000 - YAMAHA STANDARD 3/4 BBb TUBA WITH CASE - 2 needed
$5700 - YAMAHA 3 OCTAVE INTERMEDIATE VIBRAPHONE - 1 needed
$2000 - YAMAHA STANDARD EUPHONIUM WITH CASE - 2 needed
$2600 - YAMAHA STANDARD BASS CLARINET - 1 needed
$1250 - SELMER STUDENT ALTO SAXOPHONE - 2 needed
$590 - YAMAHA STANDARD FLUTE - 4 needed
Shipping
$0.00
Taxes
$1331.55
Other funding sources

We recently received the Linda Brown Fellows grant, the Optimist Club Donation, and a private donation through PTO, equalling $5,000. We were able to purchase 7 new clarinets for our program with this money. There are still many needs in our program that we do not have funding for. We are grateful for any financial support granted.

File Uploads
ACMS -- 031924A.pdf (532.73 KB)
Supporting Links
https://absolutemusiconline.com/