Donors Choose

Hey Nation,

For any of you that don't know me, I've been a member of CBN for a bit over a year now and love this place and the people here. I realize that many of us are drawn toward these instruments for their thriftiness and possibly our lack of funds. Now for my pitch...

Part 1) I'm an instrumental music teacher in 3 public elementary schools just outside of Washington, DC. My students come from circumstances of extreme poverty but due to an outstanding supervisor, I'm able to supply about 50 instruments for my students to play at each school! I want for nothing in terms of instruments. I have been inspired by the people on here who shoot video lessons to offer the same opportunity to my students.

Part 2) I have created a project to fund a video camera through a highly effective and reputable organization called DonorsChoose. This site links charitable donors with individual teachers (not schools or school districts) to fund projects that are not attainable within the school system. It is my vision to work with my older students to record tutoring style sessions that can be accessed by my other students online (i.e. Keni Lee's videos). My students flock to anything technologically driven and I can see this as a potentially great way to increase the enthusiasm for, and involvement in music in my schools. My plan is to host the videos on the site SchoolTube so that they are "safe" for students to view at any time. I feel like the more I think about it, the more potential there is for futher applications.

Part 3) Visit my individual page: http://www.donorschoose.org/mr.kepler You'll see that I recently funded a bass drum that my percussionists are loving. If you click on the project called "Flipping for Music" you'll be able to read about the full impact of the project. I believe they recommend a donation of $25, but any and every little bit helps. My friends and family were so supportive with the bass drum that I hate to ask them for more. I realize that most of us are in some pretty serious financial situations right now. You can support these students by letting more people know about the site. Who knows how far this will reach. Even if you feel like you don't want to support my project for some reason, please check out the rest of the site. There are teachers all over the US that need help.

Part 4) SUPPORT MUSIC IN YOUR SCHOOLS

Thanks for taking the time to check it out!

p.s. - My students go NUTS for my "Craft" box guitars. I've been able to share so much music with them through our friends in the CBN.

Replies

Ben March 21, 2010 at 7:32pm

I'm not sure if anyone here donated to this because there was an anonymous donor but I just wanted to say "thanks" to anyone that spread the word on my students' behalf. The project has been fully funded! Keep making music and musical instruments!
Ben March 5, 2010 at 7:38am

Hey Wes, Thanks for the post. There's a summer camp that I work with, where I've considered a "strumstick orchestra" or something along those lines. These kids that will be supported by donorschoose.org play traditional band and orchestra instruments.

Wes Yates said:
Hey are you interested in canjo's by chance? Look, I have thought of, tho not done anything yet about making canjo's for various orgs. There is a guy here CanJoe*John that makes simple one string aluminum soda can instruments. I bet he can help you tons. Contact him

-WY
Ben March 5, 2010 at 7:30am

Jeff - Thanks for looking out. I checked out the WMBand website and it looks like a great group! That's the word of mouth I was hoping for. Thanks again.

Jeff Tinsley said:
I'm glad you saw the lightheartedness of the micro-rant. It's hard to get intent to come across in text. Lol.
My cousin's band has hundreds of web followers. I'm sure that when I point out the program to her, she will push it and yours in particular on her various sites and pages. She and The White Mustang Band play as many charity events as paying gigs, so this will be right down their alley.

Ben said:
Ha! I try to be FULLY aware ....
Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates March 4, 2010 at 11:15pm

Hey are you interested in canjo's by chance? Look, I have thought of, tho not done anything yet about making canjo's for various orgs. There is a guy here CanJoe*John that makes simple one string aluminum soda can instruments. I bet he can help you tons. Contact him

-WY
Jeff "Sweet T" Tinsley March 4, 2010 at 3:24pm

I'm glad you saw the lightheartedness of the micro-rant. It's hard to get intent to come across in text. Lol.
My cousin's band has hundreds of web followers. I'm sure that when I point out the program to her, she will push it and yours in particular on her various sites and pages. She and The White Mustang Band play as many charity events as paying gigs, so this will be right down their alley.

Ben said:
Ha! I try to be FULLY aware ....
Ben March 4, 2010 at 3:07pm

Ha! I try to be FULLY aware of my PCness. Just being a guy in a school setting makes your hair raise. But being the guy that teaches on the stage, behind the curtain is much worse. I just call it a craft box guitar in case anyone raises objections. It plainly says "Padron Cigars" on it. I haven't had an issue yet but if I do..."Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!" Thanks for taking an interest and like I said, tell people to check out the rest of the site. I know that a lot of people prefer to support local programs.
Jeff "Sweet T" Tinsley March 4, 2010 at 3:00pm

It sounds like an inspired and worthy cause. I'll see what I can stir up to help out.
I wish there had been such programs when (or where) I was in school.

Too bad about that bit of political correctness in the "p.s."
I assume you aren't allowed to say "cigar" in a school setting.
You can call getting hit by a hammer something that sounds less painful, but you still got hit by a hammer.
Sorry, almost forgot it is CIGAR box, not SOAP box. I'll get down now.

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