Nearly 100 students at Memorial Middle School signed up for band this year. But many of them are only singing and clapping during band practice. They have no instruments.
As in other Orange County schools, the district provided Memorial with the big instruments -- tubas and drums, for example -- but expects students to rent or to buy trumpets, flutes, clarinets and the like.
Many of Memorial's students, however, live in poor families where coming up with that money isn't easy. So the students go to band, but they don't play.
"If you're 12 or 13 years old, you want to play," said Mike Parks, the districts instrumental music coordinator.
To help, Memorial is making a public plea for money to help pay for band instruments. Buying a used instrument usually costs about $150 while renting is $15 to $20 a month.
Parks said donations of used instruments (maybe ones that have been sitting in closets since their players left for college) would be appreciated, too. Local music stores are usually willing to clean and refurbish instruments for needy kids free of charge, he added, and the district will arrange those services.
Taking part in a school band can be a "life changing" experience for students, Parks said. Memorial has a new, enthusiastic band director who who has found plenty of eager would-be musicians but fears they will grow frustrated soon. "I can't keep them singing and clapping rhythms," he told Parks.
If you want to donate money or an instrument to Memorial's band, you can contact Parks at 407-317-3200, ext. 2720.
Thank you to those members of the community who have already donated money and instruments to our band!!
Check out this story: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-noinstruments1008feb10,0,5017828.story
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