Hi, my name is Ms. Hooven, and I am fundraising for a set of classroom instruments for my school. I am a new music teacher at UP Academy Holland in Boston, and my Pre-K through 5th grade musicians are eager to learn! They are doing a wonderful job using their singing voices every day, and one of the highlights of music class for many students is the opportunity to explore our limited set of classroom instruments.
UP Academy Holland is one of four turnaround schools in the state of Massachusetts, and it is often hard to find the resources to dedicate to enrichment opportunities like music class. Throughout the pandemic, students did not have a chance to make music in person, and they are back in the music classroom for the first time this school year. Moreover, while many of their more affluent counterparts might have chances to take violin or piano lessons outside of school, my music class is the only chance for many of my students to explore this type of enrichment through instrumental music.
A set of new Orff instruments would give students the opportunity to have a more vibrant musical experience in the classroom, and it would also give them opportunities to practice skills like motor coordination, concentration, and music literacy. I believe that my students deserve the highest quality musical experiences available, and the addition of several well-made Orff instruments will make all the difference for our small instrument collection.
Below is my wishlist for reference. Orff instruments can often be several thousand dollars each, so I have been intentional about picking instruments that are more modestly priced but still very high-quality.