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A public plea for donations of musical instruments has evoked a rapid, generous response from the community, Madison School District officials said Thursday.
In a Monday Wisconsin State Journal article, music teachers lamented the shortage of band instruments available for rental in the district because of strained budgets and booming student participation. Sandburg Elementary, where the strings program is short of small violins and other string instruments, was highlighted.
"If Sandburg Elementary can't use all the instruments, it will pass them along to other district schools." |
By Monday afternoon, the district had four donated violins and a viola in hand, said Mariel Wozniak, district fine arts coordinator.
The total now stands at 10 violins, a viola and a flute, with promises of two more violins, a cello and a clarinet, said Steve Kurr, strings teacher at Sandburg.
"Most of the instruments are in excellent, playable shape," he said. "We can take them out of their cases and play them."
The district also is getting cash donations, and one Madison pawn shop is offering a steep discount on instruments to parents who have an eligibility letter from the district, Kurr said. The pawn shop asked that its name not be published.
"This isn't about free publicity," said the store's manager. "I'm doing this because I love kids."
Also, a local radio station, WJJO, is donating $2,000 to the district for its musical instrument budget. The money comes from sales of the "Rockin' the Midwest" CD, a rock sampler put together by the JJO-Ward Brodt Local Stage show, a radio program hosted by Susan Masino.
If Sandburg Elementary can't use all the instruments, it will pass them along to other district schools, Kurr said.
"We're just amazed at the generosity of people," he said.
Although music stores rent instruments, some families can't afford the cost, Wozniak said. Particularly at the beginner's level, the district tries to ensure that every child who wants to play has access to an instrument.
The district rents instruments for $40 a year during a student's introductory year, then $70 a year thereafter. It can waive fees for low-income families.
All types of string and band instruments are needed, Wozniak said. Sandburg's music department can be reached at 246-4943. To donate to the district in general, contact Wozniak at 266-6015. Donations are tax-deductible.
Posted December 15, 1999