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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Shieh from Flushing, NY is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. Shieh is requesting

No More Plywood! Quality Instruments for all Students

My students need access to violas and cellos that reflect their dedication and curiosity for music

  • $2,328 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mr. Shieh for his next project!

Help Mr. Shieh

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mr. Shieh for his next project!

My Students

My students attend one of the few schools remaining in the country that is committed to giving every student the experience of learning a musical instrument. This, despite the fact that the vast majority come from low-income households.

All seventh grade students in the school learn a stringed instrument for an entire year.

I wish you could see how excited they get, from the moment they choose their instrument and get assigned an instrument in a special ceremony (spoiler: it involves a nerf foam sword), to when they write their first (super short) songs, to the performance at the end of the year where they cover a song of their choice on the instrument. Their experiences aren't just about music, however: they're about working together, committing themselves to a craft, connecting the arts to the world around them, and fumbling in the creative work of sounds and song. My students do these every day with incredible curiosity, thoughtfulness, and joy.

My Project

No student should have to learn from an instrument made of plywood, yet many of my students have for the past seven years.

With over 70% of students at or below the poverty line, it is up to the school to provide instruments for all students, as they cannot afford to rent or buy their own.

When I began the program, I needed to order dozens of cheap violas and cellos just to make sure there were enough instruments--and even then, we shared four students per instrument. These young musicians are always excited to play, but they also know when the instrument simply won't sound good no matter what they do. Last year, six of my eighth-grade students were accepted into a citywide honors orchestra, and though only one said something to me about it--I could tell they were all self-conscious about playing alongside so many peers who owned their own beautiful instruments. They deserve better.

Enough is enough. I am replacing the plywood instruments, little by little. These new violas and cellos will go a long way towards replacing the worst of the group with instruments that will sound good, play well, and look great. Most importantly, they will reward the enthusiastic practice the students put in with a clear, warm sound. Right now, over a third of the students continue playing their instruments through high school. Help me make it 100%!

Mr. Shieh Metropolitan Exped Learning School Grades 6-8

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Mr. Shieh

Flushing, NY View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

200 students impacted 16donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mr. Shieh is requesting.

See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Musicale Series Viola Outfit • Woodwind and Brasswind $199.99 4 $799.96
Student II Series Cello Outfit • Woodwind and Brasswind $559.99 1 $559.99
Musicale Series Cello Outfit • Woodwind and Brasswind $559.99 1 $559.99

Materials cost

$1,919.94

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$28.80

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$1,978.74

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$349.19

Total project goal

$2,327.93

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $2,327.93

15 Donors

-$2,212.19

Donations toward project cost

-$1,957.49

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$254.70

match offer

-$25.00

Match offer toward project cost

-$21.25

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$3.75

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$90.74

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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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. Shieh and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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