Music for Schools

Our Music for Schools instrument lending library allows students who cannot afford the opportunity to participate in their school’s band or orchestra program, the opportunity to do so. Working directly with schools and teachers, the instruments are loaned for the entire school year, completely free of charge. Since its inception in 2000, the lending library has grown from a small collection of core instruments to more than 1,000 instruments of all types. This has been made possible through the generosity of donors, as well as our annual instrument drive, held each spring.

The Benefits of Music Education

Music is a Science
Music requires research. It is specific and demands exact acoustics. For instance, a conductor’s full score is a chart or graph, indicating frequencies, intensities, volume changes, melody, and harmony all at once and with exact control of time.

Music is Mathematical
It is rhythmically based on the subdivisions of time into fractions, which must be done instantaneously.

Music is a Foreign Language
The semantics of music is the most complete and universal language. Most of the terms are in Italian, German, or French. The language of music also incorporates notations, which represent a highly developed form of shorthand, using symbols to represent ideas.

Music is History
Music often reflects the environment and times of its creation. From music, children learn lessons about historical events, as well as the ethnic and cultural heritage reflected in the piece.

Music is Physical Education
It requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, lip, cheek, and facial muscles. Children who play music also show extraordinary control of the diaphragmatic, back, stomach, and chest muscles, which respond instantly to sounds heard by the ear and interpreted by the mind

Music is Art
It develops insight and creates emotion. Through music, children learn to share their humanism, express thoughts and feelings, and contribute to the infinite and collective spirit we call “life.”
Provided by the Music Achievement Council

Additional Resources

Resource Lending Library
In addition to instruments, we also offer CDs, games, songbooks, state adopted materials, and advocacy kits for student and teacher use.

Music Workshops and Presentations
Presentations can be scheduled for teachers, site councils, and community and parent groups.

Assistance with Curriculum Development
Music for Schools can assist schools in developing long-term goals and objectives for their music programs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

about Music for Schools and resources available for teachers and schools, please email Tracy Sawyer, Community Engagement Coordinator, or call 707.800.7529.

Apply for an Instrument

Applications are accepted only from teachers, not directly from students or parents. The purpose of the library is to make instruments available to students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to learn and play music.

Application Criteria
Complete a request for each student applying for an instrument. Please only submit applications for students you know to be responsible and capable of caring for an instrument. The parent(s) of the student and the student’s school will assume financial responsibility in the event of loss or damage to the instrument. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Priority is given to students with demonstrated financial need. However, because our goal is to have all of our library instruments used each year in school music programs, those requests not based on financial need will be considered on a first come, first served basis after initial placements are made.

Though most requests occur at the beginning of the school year, applications are accepted throughout the year and are filled according to availability.

The music teacher or principal must check-out and return the instrument. Borrowed instruments are on loan for the entire school year. Upon return of the instrument, we ask that maintenance information be provided. Repairs for non-routine maintenance are the responsibility of the parent(s) or school, as needed.

Teachers are responsible for ensuring proper use and handling of instruments and make the following commitments:

Teach proper storage, use, cleaning, and maintenance of instrument(s)
Ensure the student is attending classes and the instrument is being played
If a student drops out of music instruction, return the instrument immediately
Notify Music for Schools immediately in the event of instrument loss or damage
At the end of the school year, return the instrument by the due date and notify Music for Schools of all maintenance needs