Gregory Whitescarver's Mustache

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I cannot express my gratitude enough for your generous donation to my classroom. Having powerful Apple computers in here has changed the way my students learn. During our intersession week, students worked on a project called "How to Survive High School." They wrote, performed in, filmed and edited 30 second short videos for incoming 9th graders about what kinds of choices they could make to make the most out of their high school experience.

Perhaps most powerful about these machines is the possibility. Whereas before we were limited by the kinds of computers we had in the building, now, if my students dream up a project (using the Apple to take time-lapse photos of their spider habitats, for example) we can do it. One typically sees this level of choice in private schools. Thank you again for helping to up the ante and give my students the kind of experience you would want for your own children”

With gratitude,

Mr. Rothauser

Yesterday was an amazing day for my Drum Circle. Because of your very generous gift of three djembes and drum sticks, the drum circle was invited to perform with four other schools at the House of Blues. The students played very well and received very gracious comments.

We started our set with some Boom Pipes we created out of 4" PVC pipe cut to various lengths. We explored creating sound by bouncing the pipes on carpet using a rhythmic pattern. Then a student used ping pong paddles and played 'Heart and Soul' by striking the openings of the pipes to create the various pitches. Then using the drum sticks your generous gifts bought we improvised rhythms while bouncing the pipes.

Our next song we used the djembes to play a traditional West African Malinke song about a sacred pond. The students were able to play very challenging rhythms.

In our final song we used the drum sticks, playing on 5 gallon buckets. The students played several percussion rudiments, adding some flash by playing on either side of the buckets. We also improvised rhythms on the spot with me playing something on a part of the bucket or the floor, and they would match it. The students created a visually striking 'wave' by lifting the buckets in sequence.

It has been rewarding for me to see how your generous gift has helped strengthen relationships between diverse students at my school. When we first began to rehearse the students did not know much about each other, and now, as the school year draws to a close, they have come to genuinely care about each other. The group has become a safe place where students can also talk about how their week is going, and they have even come to the place of being able to appropriately challenge one another's inappropriate behavior.

We have used these djembes and drum sticks at all grade levels of the school, and students of all ages have enjoyed and benefited from your gift. Thank you again for your very generous donation to this project. ”

With gratitude,

Teacher

Thank you for the impact you have made on my classroom. As the books began to come in, the students were full of excitement, as most of them were not used to seeing books in the music room.

You have allowed us to connect music and literature in numerous, creative ways. Already, books like "Rap a Tap Tap," "Froggy Plays in the Band," "Commotion in the Ocean," "Remarkable Farkle McBride," and "Aliens are Coming!" have inspired my students' interest in reading and interpreting literature in creative ways.

Currently we are preparing for a "Snuggle with a Good Book Night" for which my 2nd graders will be bringing one of the books to life with a musical performance that includes xylophones, metallophones, and many other percussion instruments. In addition we are preparing for a Music in Our Schools Month assembly for which they will also tell a story using music and literature. All the grades have treasured the books as both a music classroom library and tools to inspire fascinating and creative performances.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We look forward to further bridging the gap between music and literature. ”

With gratitude,

Mr. Martinez

Thank you all so very much.  We have every bass drum, snare drum, and tenor that we need.  I have bought drum heads and harnesses.  Our drum line is almost complete.  Through the generosity of donors, we can begin marching this summer.  We will actually have a middle school marching program.  Our students will be performing in a competition with their new equipment this April.  They are so proud of it and I am sure we will dominate the competition, as we usually do.  Your donation is helping me to build a competitive travel team and soon our kids will be performing everywhere.  We are in our last phase of getting cymbals and by next year uniforms.  I can not wait to have them in a parade.  Thank you all so very much.&nbsp”

With gratitude,

Ms. Roberts

I would like to take this time to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your donations to my students. Due to the difficult economic times we are unable to have important resources that can benefit our students future. This is why you are so important to the education of today's youth.

Many of my students come from poor homes and the only resources that they are able to use come from school. The camera will help my students achieve success in the subjects of art, music and technology as well as other core curriculum subjects. My students are very excited about receiving their new camera and thank you for being great role models to them. God bless you and once again THANK YOU!”

With gratitude,

Mr. Carriero

Thank you so much for your generous donations of paints, books, and a drying rack for my classroom. The students have started using the all the supplies and love them! The books really help inform their artwork and educate them about other cultures and artists. My students have started to create many paintings of different subjects including: still life, design, landscapes, figures, and abstract paintings. The drying rack has proved invaluable, as it allows their artwork to dry without being damaged. They love having a gallery walk at the end of each class period in order to see all the great artwork created that day! Thank you again for you support of the arts!”

With gratitude,

Ms. H

I can't fully express my joy, excitement, and thanks for your amazing support and donation to my project. It is wonderful to see that you understand how important and the value of listening to music is to my students. In music appreciation class, as well as general music, we often listen to music to help enhance what we are learning.

The speakers that you have funded will enable students to fully hear music that we are studying, since computer speakers cannot be turned up enough, and leave out many of the "highs and lows" that these speakers can reach. In addition, these compact speakers can be mounted to my walls enabling the best quality sound experience while preventing them from being in the way of "excited" students!

You have made my class much more enjoyable for 580 students this year alone! We will continue to use them for many years to come! Thank you so much. I can't wait to see the look on my students' faces!”

With gratitude,

Teacher

Thank you so very, very much for your donations! I cannot express how moving it is to see so many people who support and believe in music education.

The percussion instruments you've funded will be used to enrich course material, stir musical curiousity, and create classroom energy. My choir students will use these items in songs for our spring performance, and my general music students will use the them to reinforce their classroom lessons.

Thank you again for your thoughtfulness. I can't wait to share the good news with my students!”

With gratitude,

Teacher