I must have the best job in the world because every week I get to show 450 amazing kindergarten through fourth graders the joy found in making music. These kids aren't afraid of trying new things or taking risks; they come to my classroom every week ready to sing, say, play, move to, and create all kinds of beautiful music. They are smart, thoughtful, creative, energetic, and talented, and they are developing a love for music that I hope will follow them the rest of their lives.
In short, my students ROCK!
My Project
I am requesting 2 bass bars (C and G) to help my students hear and feel the beat while playing our brand new mallet instruments. The music curriculum at Boone Meadow is heavily influenced by Orff Schulwerk, a philosophy of music education that encourages instrument playing as well as singing in the classroom. This provides a well-rounded experience for all students, adding options that increase the retention of musical understanding, appreciation and skill.
One of the biggest challenges with Orff Schulwerk is acquiring the funds necessary to purchase instruments, but at Boone Meadow the Zionsville Education Foundation (ZEF) and Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) have generously provided most of the needed materials.
We now have drums, xylophones, metallophones, and glockenspiels, but we are still in need of bass bars.
The reason bass bars are so important is that they help kids play together and in time. It can be super hard for kids (and many times adults too...) to play together without speeding up or slowing down, but with bass bars they can hear and feel that foundational and unifying beat. This helps keep everyone on the same page, it provides opportunities for students to lead their class, and it improves the quality of the sound by adding the lower register.
Finally, bass bars are just plain fun! I'm sure that my students will have a blast learning about and playing them if this grant is funded. Of course I wish instruments weren't so expensive, but just like our other instruments these bass bars are of the highest quality and are made to last. Thank you in advance for your support of the music program at Boone Meadow Elementary!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Doublestein and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
