Past projects 8
Rack Up the Good Times
Funded Feb 9, 2023Thank you so much for contributing to this project! The band is constantly growing, and storage has become an issue. With this contribution, we can keep the classroom less crowded, have more robust storage, and make our concert loading much safer. These racks fit the lift gates on our trucks and should be able to take a beating. You've left your mark on every future concert in the program; this shouldn't be overlooked!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kilby
Crashing Into 2023
Funded Dec 5, 2022Thank you so much for contributing to our project and to the growth of our percussionists and percussion program! Your donation really makes a difference and is very appreciated!
Having diverse cymbal sounds will really make a difference for filling out the band's sound in big ensemble moments. It will also open up more possibilities for percussion ensemble programming in the Spring. Thanks for helping me give a great experience to my students!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kilby
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 9 other donors.Crashing Into 2021: Future Status Cymbals
Funded Nov 30, 2021Our students were wowed to see a shiny set of new cymbals in our class! They have been using them as crashes for symphonic band and for various percussion ensemble pieces. They really give us a professional sound! Some visiting semi-professional groups that rehearse in our space have asked about our cymbals, and have commented on how great it is that students get to experience world-class instruments. We are hoping to keep the momentum going to get the rest of the front ensemble set up with effects cymbals in our current project. Thank you so much for your contributions!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kilby
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 4 other donors.New Jingles and Dings
Funded Oct 15, 2021Students have been able to use our new Triangle and Tambourine in concert cycles already AND will use them in all of our upcoming cycles this year. Students were surprised to see new equipment laying out in front of them before rehearsals started, and it was exciting to try some different options for our holiday concert. Overall, the quality of the whole group improved with some artisan instruments!
Replacing some of our older novelty equipment with professional grade instruments gave students a renewed sense of seriousness and purpose in their playing. We are going to keep replacing and purchasing new cymbals and auxiliary percussion instruments so that we are on strong footing for our percussion ensemble concert and the next marching season.
Thank you so much for all that you do!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kilby
Matching Mallets
Funded Aug 10, 2021The students were so excited to see their new mallets; now everyone can work on the same activities in class at the same time (we no longer have to share). It is so much easier for us to get a unified sound now that we have all of the proper equipment. We were able to immediately use the specialty "dreadlock" brushes for our marching band show, replace several cymbal sleeves and felts, and provide designated mallets to all of the students. This project will not only benefit my current students, but will benefit students for years to come (the mallets should last for years and years!). Thanks again for your contribution- can't wait to share pictures!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kilby
This classroom project was brought to life by Emerson Collective and 4 other donors.Self-Reflection Made Easy
Funded Jul 22, 2021Who knew that mirrors were so expensive? Thank you for helping us get the quality materials we need! Full length mirrors help students see EXACTLY how they are playing and are a wonderful tool for getting students to self assess. The students were shocked at the quality of the lesson room when they returned to school, and now more students than ever are signed up for private lessons! They all want to be a part of our expanding program, and are proud that they are able to contribute their best. I'm excited to share photos of all the great things that are happening in our private instruction space!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kilby
This classroom project was brought to life by Emerson Collective and 5 other donors.Lesson Lab Makeover
Funded Jul 20, 2021Affordable access to private lessons can transform a student's entire experience at school. Knowing that they get the personal time they need with quality teachers and equipment helps tear down obstacles to getting every child a great education (cost, transportation, differentiated instruction for kids from programs that have had setbacks). Private lessons help high achievers keep reaching higher, but also helps kids that are struggling get the help they need and feel cared for. Your donations go toward recording technology that helps students self-assess (they will be emailed with their lesson recordings). Thank you so much for all you have done for my classroom!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kilby
This classroom project was brought to life by Emerson Collective and 2 other donors.Auxiliary Percussion: Anything but Auxiliary!
Funded Mar 30, 2019This contribution has helped our program steadily grow over the last 3 years, allowing many students to play in a larger class. Since this project, we have been able to move to a larger space and the gear has been used for several concerts. The students were incredibly excited to see the new percussion items, and so was I! I never imagined that I would have access to the exact materials that we needed so quickly.
If you search "Fort Dorchester Steel Band" on youtube, you can watch a full length video of our first concert, which was made possible by this contribution. Since then, we have participated in mass bands (all the steel bands in DD2, our school district play together with a guest artist), and been formally adjudicated as part of a steel pan festival in Conway, SC. We hope to continue this upward trajectory into the future years and will always remember the few that helped kick-start our journey!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kilby