Past projects 55
Reverberating Rhythms!
Funded Jul 21, 2011Thank you all so much for helping to make Reverberating Rhythms into a reality! The concert toms are absolutely amazing! We use them in lieu of timpani, as they are tunable. This year I have very talented aspiring young percussionists. Now that we have this wonderful instrument, I have been able to find pieces that feature my excellent percussion section. The children are taking extremely good care of the drums and take a great deal of pride in playing them!
Our school music program is very important in the students' lives. The students enter my room each day with boundless energy. The sincere passion and dedication exhibited by my students keeps me inspired each and every day.
In the uncertain economic times which have engulfed our nation, arts programs are often the first to be decimated when there is a budget shortfall. Through the selfless generosity of donors near and far, music is alive and well at our school. Thank you for choosing to donate to Reverberating Rhythms. My students and I will never forget your benevolence. May you all be blessed with health and happiness in the holiday season and new year!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Schecter
...And The BAND Played On!
Funded Mar 4, 2011Another Spring concert season is underway at our school and thanks your incredible kindness, it has been a huge success! Your donations helped our band sound the best it ever has. Our new snare drum sounds fantastic, the blue juice is keeping the valves on the trumpets and euphoniums moving and the Slide-o-Mix has helped enhance trombone students technique and precision. My saxophone players love their brand new, soft Neotech neck straps and as concert season draws to a close, we will soon use the brushes to help sanitize and flush out all of the brass instruments.
Although we have never met you, your kindness will always be remembered by our community. Your donation will keep our instruments in working order for a long time to come. Our wonderful new snare drum has added clarity to our band's sound. It is only now that I realize how badly our broken one sounded!
Thank you for looking out for the best interest of my students. We are so fortunate to have guardian angels who care enough to make sure that our basic needs are met. In these difficult economic times, music programs are cut every day. Thanks to you and other selfless donors, our program is stronger than ever.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Schecter
BudgetSMART Technology
Funded Jan 11, 2011Over the past month my classroom has transitioned into the 21st century! Thanks to our new projector, lessons have come alive. This wonderful new technology has allowed me the opportunity to share Powerpoint presentations with the students. These have helped place our band repertoire within a historical context. I have also been able to introduce interactive games, such as Staff Wars. These games help solidify the students' note reading skills, rhythm and intonation. Children actually come into my room early in the morning and at lunch just to play!
In a climate in which cuts are being made to the arts at all levels, I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for your invaluable support! My students are fortunate to have such generous benefactors standing behind us. Our music program continues to grow in size and stature with each passing year. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. On behalf of our band community, we thank you for being our guardian angels!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Schecter
Rhythm Resounding!
Funded Dec 31, 2010It has been a couple of weeks since your wonderful donation arrived in my classroom and the students are loving their new resources. The temple blocks add a wonderfully unique sound to our band. Their sound helps our music come to life and tell a story. The students are deeply excited about the temple blocks and take a great deal of pride in them. My eighth grade percussionists have come up with names for each of the five blocks. They are now affectionately known as "Jimmy, Timmy, The Rock, Gunter and Tinka."
The eight snare drum practice pads are also making an immense difference in our classroom. My percussion students are able to use them for sectional rehearsals and have the opportunity to take them home for nightly practice. Prior to your generous donation, my students used old text books as practice pads. Having real practice pads has already helped my students to improve and refine their basic technique.
Thank you all once again for your kindness and generosity. The new resources are already helping me to improve the quality of the music education in my classroom.
”
With gratitude,
Ms. Schecter
This classroom project was brought to life by American Express Members Project and 2 other donors.Fabulous Flutes - Avoiding Ailments
Funded Sep 10, 2010It is amazing to see what a difference a shiny, new instrument can make on a students' ability to learn. My students have struggled to learn on instruments with missing keys and leaky pads. Some of them have played on equipment held together by tape and rubber bands. Although they rarely ever complained about the condition of the instruments, I always knew how much better they could sound with newer equipment.
The look on a child's face when he or she sees a new instrument is one which words cannot do justice. It is the wide-eyed look of wonder that you often see on the face of a child on Christmas morning or that of love at first sight. The only thing more exciting is when the student first plays on the new instrument and realizes how beautiful his or her sound actually is.
The crystal-clear tone that our gorgeous new flutes produce is a far cry from that of the old ones. My students are playing with greater ease and their tone quality and intonation has greatly improved. This incredibly generous donation has made my students feel special and has given them hope. Your kindness has taught them that there are strangers out there who care deeply for them. Although you may not know my students personally, please understand how much they appreciate your generosity.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, ON BEHALF OF THE MS 158 BAND COMMUNITY!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Schecter