Past projects 4
Help Complete the Twain Band!
Funded Jan 30, 2016Dear Donors,
When the final donation came in I couldn't believe this dream was going to come true for my band students. We have been to band festival for two years. Each year that we have gone the judges have commented on the fact that we do not have enough low brass and woodwind sound. This project has completely changed the sound of our band in a way that is heard as soon as you hear one note from the students together. Bands are best when the pyramid of sound is complete within an ensemble. We have lots of the top instruments but lack the low instruments that should comprise the largest amount of sound to help balance the ensemble. This project allowed this balance to begin to be fixed and provided students with instruments that are otherwise too expensive to purchase from home.
My new tuba player loves the tuba. Since he was small he wanted to be a tuba player in a band, but started on the baritone first. He borrowed a tuba from another school, but could not bring it home to practice. This brand new beautiful instrument that you provided for him is helping our ensemble, and his dreams come true. The bass clarinet the students all wanted to try and play. This instrument is another key piece to help our ensemble, and is allowing a student a chance to play something quality and new. The clarinets loved their new neck straps, since many of them do not have them. It has since improved hand position, and allowed them to play for longer periods of time with ease.
My students work together and work hard to participate in the after school band. They know they are unlike the rest of the students at the school because of the amount of dedication they have to put in to participate in band. They work hard for top ratings at festival, memorize music for parades, and work individually by taking lesson and going to solo and ensemble contest. I am so grateful for all of the donations to help these students have a chance for their ensemble to sound like schools that have had band programs for many years. Projects like this help make many students dreams come true.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Rutkelis
Help Organize 900 Kids in One Music Classroom!
Funded May 20, 2016Dear Donors-
It was so exciting going back to school this year because I knew that I would be receiving the seat sacks and materials before the students arrived. This allowed me the opportunity to get everything in place before the first day of school, which meant everything would already be organized. The very first day the students began to use the materials, and I couldn't be more thrilled.
The seat sacks currently hold the following materials: a pencil case with pencils and dry erase markers, folders for each grade level, music books, music sheets, and a dry erase board. The dry erase boards have been so fun to have a quick way for students to answer questions on the board, write their own music, or asses their learning in class. They love the fact that no longer they have to pass out books each class, or worry about bringing supplies to each music class is a dream come true. Every student chair now has a number on the back, which also helps me easily pass out guitars or other amounts of bulk instruments.
We will continue to use these amazing resources for years to come. We haven't even worn down our pencils enough yet for the eraser tops, but I am sure excited that I know I have them for the students to soon use. I love how my classroom looks and how organized all my students now are because of this project. Thank you all so much for helping my classroom and 900 students here at school.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Rutkelis
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 7 other donors.Help Create Our Instrumental Library
Funded May 7, 2015Thank you so much! We have 60 kids in our band program currently at Mark Twain and next year we have an incoming class of over 37 students that will additionally be joining band. These materials will not only give us concert band band music for our concerts next year for all of levels of students but additional learning materials for better technique and solo/ensemble material.
We currently have 35 students enrolled in summer music lessons that will be using the materials sent to me before the end of the school year. They will use this for private lesson study throughout the summer months. They will take what they have learned and go on to perform at the Chicago Public Schools Solo and Ensemble Festival in the Winter.
My students are so excited at this opportunity to play new materials and music that is appropriate to their learning level. We finally have a whole library of music to choose from and are not limited to having to choose only 3 songs. We will be getting right to this new music and my students will be learning and growing as instrumental musicians.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Rutkelis
Mark Twain Band in Need!
Funded Jan 9, 2015My students were filled with gratitude and excitement over the new instruments, music, and materials received from this donors choose project. They completely understand the need for the items requested because we all have been working together as an entire band to make it be successful for all. The students worked hard to pass out flyers at our parade and put a lot of personal accountability into the entire project. They are grateful for new students getting a opportunity to be in band because of the instruments we received. We are also playing one of the pieces of music at our spring band festival, and they understand how expensive it is to purchase new music.
The resources are used by first giving a stand to hold the music for the students to even be able to play. Before the project they did not have enough stands to hold their music in the classroom. The stands are now filled with music from the project which they love to play and are excited about performing it for judges and for their families at the two upcoming concerts. The instruments are being used by students that are unable to purchase their own instrument for band. All together the project affects all students and has been creating new musical opportunities for the entire school.
The project boosted my teaching because they realize how the community cares about them getting a fair education that should be possible for ALL band students. They are invested in the Chicago community and are excited about the connection they feel they have with so many amazing donors like you. I am excited to allow new opportunities in what is already a morally strong band program and keep advancing my students to be the best possible musicians they can be.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Rutkelis