Ms. Cummings' Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 5

• Uke It Up!

  Funded Dec 5, 2016

  Thank you so much for donating to the project to get ukuleles in the North Brookfield music room! Because of you, I will now be able to introduce string instruments to even the tiniest of hands, with great ease.

  Throughout the beginning of this school year, I've been playing my personal ukulele. The younger students are so fascinated by it, while my older students already have a good idea of how to play one. I have no doubt that when I start to formally teach ukulele, we will have some very excited students. The best part is that ukuleles are inexpensive but can be played from age 5 to 105.

  Time and time again, I am shown by donors like you, that even the smallest donation can go a very long way.

  Thank you again for funding this project that will bring our music program to the next level! I hope you can make it to a future concert where we use these!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cummings

• We Need a Saxophone!

  Funded Apr 6, 2016

  Dear Donors,

  I regret taking such a long time to send out this thank you note, as the project had ended before the school year ended. However, we are now seeing the great effects of your donations. This was a unique project where we were requesting only a couple of things, that wouldn't be used by many students, but it was vital to complete this project.

  Because of you, one of my second-year band students is enjoying playing the new saxophone, and his attitude about playing has improved greatly. He's become more confident about his playing, and has a great sound on the horn, which (knock on wood) has yet to have even a minor fix.

  Not to mention, now no one in my saxophone section has to go without a saxophone if they can't afford to rent one.

  The other thing we received through your donations was a snare drum stand. This stand was very important to get because last year, during one of our performances, a snare drum was falling because one of the stands was very loose and a student had to catch it, thus loosing her place in the song. It would happen repeatedly in rehearsals, too, and the section as a whole would get extremely frustrated. They are no longer frustrated, or playing the drum one handed while holding it with the other hand, and we no longer run the risk of a very expensive instrument falling during a concert!

  Thank you again for the donations. Even though they only directly effect a few students, everyone in my band was impacted by this project.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cummings

• Build A Band!

  Funded Aug 25, 2016

  I cannot thank you enough for helping to get this project funded. Your generosity does not go unnoticed in my school district, and especially for my students who will be directly using these materials to perform as a band ensemble.

  I'm relieved first of all, that my woodwind players will be able to play into their instrument because of you. Having reeds for clarinets and saxophones means we can start band right away.

  Having these methods books will only help to improve our sound. I can't wait to introduce them to my students, begin playing out of them, and use them as routine warm ups and exercises in band.

  Thank you again for the donations to this project. It really goes to show how every bit counts.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cummings

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 15 other donors.

• Xylophones And Glocks For Music Classroom

  Funded Nov 20, 2015

  Thank you so much for your kind donation to our music program's second project to get instruments. In total, we now have 22 barred instruments for students to use, which means in almost every class, no student has to share. Each student can learn how the instrument works without being crammed next to other students.

  The kids love these instruments so much that it's almost difficult to get their attention when we use them. I don't see that as a bad problem to have, however, because it means they are really enjoying the instruments and music class. On days when we don't use the instruments, I have students ask when we will use them again.

  It's so greatly appreciated by students and administration alike that we were able to get these instruments through your donation. I hope these photos show you how much the kids appreciate it!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cummings

• North Brookfield Needs Musical Instruments!

  Funded Oct 9, 2015

  My students are absolutely thrilled about these instruments. We used to warm up with some echo clapping, but since receiving these instruments, I've replaces clapping with rhythm sticks. They LOVE using those. We also like to repeat one rhythm, or an ostinato, over a song. A favorite among the whole school is "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."

  As for our glockenspiels, they literally cannot resist them. If I set them up before the students come in, they are so tempted to play them. I have be to careful and give very clear directions to them. The kids are learning how to play them properly, how to take off bars and put them back on correctly, and they are having so much fun playing anything they want. One of the reasons I really wanted these instruments was for them to improvise. The cool part about improvisation is that there is no right or wrong answer, unlike in an academic class. Young students need a break from the constant right or wrong, and improvisation on these instruments allows that.

  Again, I cannot thank you enough for your generosity. I have so much more to teach the students now, they have so much more to learn, and immediately they are having more fun through these instruments.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cummings