The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

January 18, 2012

Donation is music to their ears

Board accepts $26,548 worth of instruments

By Courtney L. Saylor Herald Staff Writer

SHARON — Music is powerful.

It’s got the power to soothe savage beasts, make people get up and dance and help kids do better in school.

It’s because of that power that so many children wanted to join Sharon elementary band this year, tripling the number of young musicians and spurring a community outreach in the Loud and Proud Project.

When district teachers Courtney Jones and Jennifer Shaffer asked for donations to help put an instrument in the hands of every child who wanted one, people came forward.

Before that drive was over, district officials had applied for a Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation grant, and Tuesday night school directors accepted a donation of $26,548 worth of instruments for students at C.M. Musser Elementary.

“It’s amazing,” Superintendent John Sarandrea said.

The gift will help the district “develop the next generation of musicians,” Musser Principal Jeff DeJulia said. Fifty to 60 kids play in the band at Musser, where there’s also a STOMP group and an orchestra program.

A total of 25 flutes, clarinets, trumpets and saxophones will be ordered and delivered by the foundation, Program Director Tricia Steel said in an e-mail message to school officials.

DeJulia said that at a certain point last fall, as students were sharing horns, he feared youngsters who’d shown an interest would quit the band.

“At this point, we’re equipped and ready to go,” DeJulia said.

He noted the kids can see the passion their music teachers have for the subject and it’s contagious.

They had to cancel plans for an elementary band concert this winter, but it’s on for spring, DeJulia said.

“The pressure is on Miss Jones, which she knows,” he said with a smile.

The community also gave the district about $40,000 for the effort and many brought in instruments for the kids as well.

Historically, Sharon’s provided instruments for many students who couldn’t afford to get them on their own. Most youth in the district qualify for the federal free lunch program.

This grant gives the district more than enough money to outfit each child with an instrument and leaves room for the band to grow even more, Sarandrea said.

Sarandrea credited district Curriculum Director Michael Calla for writing the grant and DeJulia for forging a relationship with the foundation’s staff during the time leading up to the award.

The foundation, created by the composer of the 1995 Richard Dreyfus film who was inspired by the tale of a music teacher and the effect he had on his students, donates new and refurbished musical instruments to music programs across the country.



In the last 15 years, the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation has donated more than 15,000 instruments to 1,260 school and community music programs in the United States.



Info: www.mhopus.org

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