Mr. Heathwood's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 4

• Help Our School Keep the Beat Alive!

  Funded Aug 15, 2018

  As always my heart is warmed by the immense graciousness people share, and today is no different. I cannot express how much of a difference each one of you has made. We always try and make do with what we have in our little corner of the Bronx and we try and share our music with as many people as we can. Thanks to your generous donations, MS180 can provide a better music education for its students, and we can continue sharing our music with the world.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Heathwood

• Flimsy Folders Are Finally Finished

  Funded Mar 27, 2018

  Words cannot express my gratitude for each of you for your generous contribution to our band program. It can be tough to get resources sometimes but we always find a way to make it work. With your help we don’t have to make it work, we can flourish. So it is with great pleasure to announce we have reached our fundraising goal!!! Once again thank you all for helping make this happen. We cannot wait to receive our new folders and finally toss those old flimsy ones out for good!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Heathwood

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and 3 other donors.

• The Sound of Music... in the Bronx!!

  Funded Dec 8, 2015

  As educators we try and make a difference in children's' lives as much as we can. It can be challenging at times to be able to do what we want when we do not have access to the resources we need, but we always find a way to make it work. I was at a lecture recently given by Dr. Renee Boyer, a giant in the music education world. At this lecture she demonstrated how anything can be a resource if you're creative enough. By the end we were banging drum sticks on a bunch of different sized cardboard boxes. Even if a school is not able to afford drums, we can go around and collect boxes and make our own. That is an example of making it work. It is always about the kids and giving them that experience. and doing whatever is necessary to make that happen.

  At MS 180 the students come from low income neighborhoods. They truly cherish the band program and between scholarship opportunities, payment plans, and some school instruments we are able to procure instruments for every child. Even with all the financial assistance, there are many students still struggling to make ends meet as far as keeping the instrument in playing condition. To ask them to go out and by a method book would be asking too much. The school as well spends so much money keeping our instruments in working condition that there is hardly enough money left to buy anything else. This is where creativity comes into play. Until now I have been finding great exercises off the Internet, making copies and packets for the children to read from, and we have been getting by.

  Now however, we have a resource that will truly help us rise to the next level. The Sound Innovations Ensemble development series is unlike any method book I have ever seen. The expertise that went into producing this book is evident from the very first page. The exercises in this book will improve the technique for every student in the group and advance their playing far beyond what the packets I have created off the internet could do. These books will serve as a class set that all 3 of my bands will be able to utilize not only for this year, but for years to come. Our program has grown stronger and stronger each year. Now because of your generous donation, we will be able to rise to the next level. Thank you so much, and we cannot wait to make you proud!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Heathwood

• Help Us Keep the Beat Alive!

  Funded Jun 18, 2015

  When we first got the drum set, I was beyond thrilled for my kids. I had always wanted to start a jazz band at my school, and drum set is always a great instrument to add on to our concerts. It was about the third year in when I began to be concerned for the longevity of the instruments. Grants are usually given to only purchase instruments; there are so few to keep those instruments in working condition. I thought to myself, what could I do as a teacher to keep these beautiful instruments in pristine condition? Then I heard about Donors Choose and I had to see if I could get this project funded.

  The best way in my mind to keep these instruments in working condition is to prevent them from being damaged in the first place. The drum set is either out and set up already or in pieces scattered about the band room. Keeping it set up is problematic because every middle school student who sees a drum set will want to play it and if they are not trained will end up damaging it. If I leave it around in pieces, parts of it can get lost or knocked over and damaged as well. Taking the band out of the building is also problematic because in transit, with no cases, the instruments are very exposed and can become damaged. With the cases, it not only solves the problem of protecting these instruments, but it also allows me to teach my percussionists how to assemble and break down a drum set from cases.

  Now that we have our beautiful new cases, I can efficiently, and safely, transport the drum set to perform for our community. Our first stop is Montefiore Children's Hospital. We played for them last year and they are begging for us to return this year. Thank you so much for your generous donation, and because of your help, MS 180 is able to Keep the Beat Alive!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Heathwood