Past projects 5
Small Equipment Makes A Big Difference!: New Low Brass Mouthpieces
Funded Dec 14, 2022My younger low brass students have been a little difficult to motivate this year, but one thing got them ready to work: receiving new equipment! When I started handing out new mouthpieces, they were all so excited to get their instruments and try them out. While I was only able to provide mouthpieces to students who use school instruments, even students who had their own instruments started asking questions about upgrading their equipment and why that was important. It was a great learning moment for everyone!
I have definitely noticed a difference in my students' playing after receiving the new mouthpieces. It is easier for them to play higher notes, and they're playing with a fuller, warmer tone than they were before. Seeing them get excited about their own success is the best part about being able to give students new equipment!
Thank you so much for supporting my students and our program. We have had such a successful year thanks to you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Abbott
This classroom project was brought to life by Pull Up Fund and 4 other donors.Piano, Please!
Funded Jan 17, 2023My students were so excited to receive the piano. I think most of them have never received brand new equipment before, and it was really fun to see them open it for the first time and "ooh and aah" over how pretty it is!
It has been so convenient to have this piano in class and for performances. I'm able to use it while I'm teaching, which has been especially helpful in my orchestra classes when I'm working to get my students to match pitch. But, we've also been able to use it in several school assemblies and our spring concert - it's way easier to pull this keyboard in it's wheeled case over to the auditorium than it is to transport a large upright piano, which is what we were doing before! In addition to using it for our jazz band, I was even able to program a couple concert band pieces with piano parts for one of my students who is both an accomplished percussionist and pianist.
This piano will absolutely continue to make an impact on our program and enrich both our class rehearsals and performances. I'm already looking at purchasing several other accessories to go with it. My students and I cannot thank you enough!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Abbott
This classroom project was brought to life by Pull Up Fund and 22 other donors.Bang Bang on the Drum All Day!
Funded Nov 29, 2022You have no idea how excited my percussionists were to receive these materials. After receiving new instruments from our county school system, and new sticks and mallets from this project, they have taken so much more ownership over their equipment, playing, and section overall. I don't know how much you know about percussion sections in band class, but stereotypically, they are goofballs in the back of the room who can be difficult to motivate. My kids are still goofballs, but they are by far the most productive and motivated percussion section I have ever had. I am so proud of them, and more importantly, I can tell that they're proud of themselves.
In March, they had the opportunity to play at a prestigious concert band festival at the University of Maryland. They participated in a masterclass with one of the percussion professors and came back with a hunger to learn about percussion technique and improve their playing. Considering most of these students are in 10th and 11th grade, I am so excited to see how much they grow in the next couple years!
Thank you again, so much, for your support!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Abbott
This classroom project was brought to life by Pull Up Fund and 5 other donors.Fiddling Around!: Supplies For String Students
Funded Nov 30, 2022I'd like to thank you once again for contributing to this project! When I told the students I was able to give each of them their own "fancy" shoulder rest (instead of a sponge, or nothing), they were so excited. We spent some time going over how to put them on the instruments, adjusting them to fit each student, and showing how a shoulder rest allows you to have a proper playing position. There was a bit of learning curve since some students have never played with a shoulder rest, but they've gotten to used to it and are looking and playing much better! And, now that they're able to hold the instrument correctly, they're excited to be able to learn more advanced techniques like shifting and vibrato.
I've heard so much improvement in my students' playing, especially their ability to play in tune with a correct hand position. We are currently getting ready for our last performance of the year, and I know they're going to look and sound so much better than they did earlier this year thanks to you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Abbott
This classroom project was brought to life by Pull Up Fund and 2 other donors.Help Students Hit Drums!
Funded Aug 16, 2014I wish you could have seen my students' faces when we opened our package of new drum sticks and mallets. They were so excited to receive new materials! Due to budget constraints at our school and in our school district, we do not often receive new equipment. They were so grateful for your generosity!
Because we kept our old mallets and sticks, we now have two sets to use. The new ones are for performances only so we can keep them in nice condition, while we use the old ones for practice after school. My students had such a good time taping up their sticks and making them "their own", and they love to show off their equipment when we're performing. In addition to having six football games and a pep rally at school, the marching band has had extra performance opportunities in the community this season, so the new stuff has gotten a lot of good use!
Through this project, my students learned responsibility. I always try to teach them that they need to keep their equipment in good working condition, and we do the best we can with what we have. They have been so protective of their sticks! It is wonderful to see them take ownership of and responsibility for their section and their program. They also learned that if they work hard, good things will come to them. My students don't always see or understand the rewards of hard work, but they were motivated after they realized people are willing to help a good cause!
Thank you again for everything you have provided for my students and me!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Abbott