Keith Keeps Giving
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Keith Keeps Giving anks to you and others like you who value music education, we put over 6,000 instruments into students’ hands this school year. Sharing instruments, quite common pre-Covid is no longer allowed, so they need us more than ever. In 2016, superstar Keith Urban donated 100 guitars from his signature guitar collection that MHOF distributed to five school districts across the country. Students in Miami, Brownsville TX, Duarte CA, New York, and Pasadena CA, enjoyed playing these beautiful instruments and they remain in these schools for other students to enjoy for many years. In March 2021, Dillard High School in Broward County FL received a new donation of 30 guitars, again courtesy of Keith, motivated by his desire to support kids and their dreams through playing and learning music. e students will use the guitars both in the classroom and at home during remote learning. Keith included a personal note in each guitar case: “When you play music, just remember that’s first and foremost what you’re doing… PLAYING… so have fun - and here’s to your epic journey ahead. With love and peace always Keith!!!!!” MHOF is donating an additional 35 band and orchestra instruments to Dillard. Chavez High School’s Blue Skies Jazz Band welcomes prom-goers to “A Night Under e Stars” in Houston. Hank and Noah from Midtown High School (formerly Grady HS) in Atlanta each have their own tuba now to play through the year. “We have 90 members this year which is amazing with Covid taking down many programs. Some highlights... the ENTIRE 4th grade started band this year! Every student who needed to was able to borrow an instrument thanks to MHOF!” Rebecca Washington, Music Teacher, Dongola Unit School, Dongola CO
Transcript of Keith Keeps Giving
4370 Tujunga Avenue, Suite 330, Studio City, CA 91604
818.762.4328 • [email protected] • www.mhopus.org
Special thanks to BMI for designing and printing this newsletter.
Keith Keeps GivingThanks to you and others like you who value music education, we put over 6,000 instruments into students’ hands this school year. Sharing instruments, quite common pre-Covid is no longer allowed, so they need us more than ever.
In 2016, superstar Keith Urban donated 100 guitars from his signature guitar collection that MHOF distributed to five school districts across the country. Students in Miami, Brownsville TX, Duarte CA, New York, and Pasadena CA, enjoyed playing these beautiful instruments and they remain in these schools for other students to enjoy for many years.
In March 2021, Dillard High School in Broward County FL received a new donation of 30 guitars, again courtesy of Keith, motivated by his desire to support kids and their dreams through playing and learning music. The students will use the guitars both in the classroom and at home during remote learning.
Keith included a personal note in each guitar case:“When you play music, just remember that’s first and
foremost what you’re doing… PLAYING…
so have fun - and here’s to your epic journey ahead.With love and peace always
Keith!!!!!”
MHOF is donating an additional 35 band and orchestra instruments to Dillard.
Chavez High School’s Blue Skies Jazz Band welcomes prom-goers to “A Night Under The Stars” in Houston.
Hank and Noah from Midtown High School (formerly Grady HS) in Atlanta each have their own tuba now to play through the year.
“We have 90 members this year which is amazing with Covid taking down many programs. Some highlights... the ENTIRE 4th grade started band this year! Every student who needed to was able to borrow an instrument thanks to MHOF!” Rebecca Washington, Music Teacher, Dongola Unit School, Dongola CO
Horace Mann Middle School band students, who usually play saxes and clarinets, learned to perform music on percussion instruments to safely play their jazz concert. MHOF donated the xylophone and marimba for the concert, along with 15 new brass instruments to use when they return to class in the Fall.
RESILIENCE
The concert band at James Monroe HS in North Hills teamed up with Cal State Northridge concert band for a virtual ensemble performance: linktr.ee/mhopus.
“I feel making a space for them to express themselves is more important than ever! Since MHOF gifted instruments, piano keyboards and amps every single student was assigned an instrument. All music students have been happily learning this entire school year against great odds! Without your generous support we wouldn’t have been able to weather this pandemic emergency.”Elleni Maureas, Music Teacher, Wright Middle School
Colorado
Los Angeles
Houston
“We were able to successfully put together a small jazz ensemble for the first time in many years at Washington High School and had a successful first performance. We have faced many challenges due to the pandemic, but have found new and creative ways to continue to teach our students. We have students practicing at home and submitting videos for feedback as well as some taking virtual private lessons. Our in-person students are constantly being developed during normal classroom instruction.” Mallik Newman, Instrumental Fine Arts Director, Booker T. Washington HS
We’re proud of music teachers and students across the land who have shown remarkable spirit over the last school year!
Furr HS symphonic band earned 1st Division ratings for their performance at their district concert festival.
BOLD VOICES
As a result of MEDSS ®, Music Education District Support Services, Boston Public Schools Executive Director for the Arts, Anthony Beatrice started nine new music programs in East Boston.
“I was able to take that document when it was done and bring it with me to meetings with upper administration and then use that to make change based on the recommendations, which was so powerful. Me on my own, it’s just me in a meeting advocating for something, but by having a data source back me up made it so it actually happens.
The biggest win for us was realizing there was this entire region of the city which had the highest population of students who identify as Latinx or Hispanic students who had virtually no instrumental music - we’re talking 9 elementary schools.”
With generous funding from StubHub, we donated over 900 instruments and accessories to nine elementary schools to support new sequential music education instruction in East Boston. To find out more about MEDSS, go to mhopus.org/MEDSS.
We love this group so much, we created a logo for them! Twice a month, since April 2020, they have connected online and become a strong nationwide voice to keep music and the arts a vital part of every student’s education.
Big Win in Boston
Elementary school students are eager to join the new music program at Umana Academy in East Boston.
“So grateful for these insightful colleagues and the endless support of MHOF! I always learn the most innovative, yet sensible, strategies.” Sara Womack, Fine & Performing Arts Coordinator, Atlanta Public Schools
“I’m so thankful to be part of this group. Our district is tiny compared to the rest however we have many of the same challenges. I learn something new every time we meet.” Danielle Roby, Senior Coordinator of Music Education and Theatre, Norfolk Public Schools
Congratulations Holland’s Heroes!The Florida Alliance for Arts Education named Holland’s Hero Scott Evans, Orange County Public Schools Visual & Performing Arts Senior Director, the District Administrator of the Year. The Georgia Music Educators Association presented Holland’s Hero Sara Womack with an Administrative Leadership Award for her support of music education for all students.
4370 Tujunga Avenue, Suite 330, Studio City, CA 91604
818.762.4328 • [email protected] • www.mhopus.org
Special thanks to BMI for designing and printing this newsletter.
LEGACY
A cash contribution today will change a life forever. Please give the gift of music by donating online or using the enclosed envelope. On behalf of so many, thank you SO much!
When Richard and Janice Snyder became donors in 2004, we didn’t know that they would become our lifelong friends. Over the years, the couple made generous yearly contributions, and they even visited our office with their daughter Hillary in 2012 when they traveled from their home in Amarillo TX to go to Disneyland. Janice sang in her church choir and Richard played the trombone, among other instruments. Sadly, Janice died in 2017 at age 65, while Richard continued his support of music education in her memory.
“I have been pleased, blessed and proud to participate in the support of the organization for many years. Because of the value and joy you provide to the music students communities throughout our country I have made provision for The Foundation in my estate plans.”
We’re deeply touched and honored that Richard trusts us to make his legacy more meaningful by continuing to give the gift of music learning to many more children through his final wishes. And we expect that will be a long ways down the road. Thank you Richard.
In 2004, we awarded Atlanta 8th grader Khari Joyner his first professional cello. He went on to join the Atlanta Youth Symphony, then received his Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Juilliard School.Khari even played the cello for President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. We wish Khari our best in his new role of Assistant Professor of Cello at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music. Visit KhariJoyner.com to read more about Dr. Khari Joyner’s amazing career.
Before the pandemic, you could often find John Helland playing his keyboard at Edelweiss Bakery in Prior Lake MN several times a week in exchange for danishes and coffee. There he is affectionately known as the “Piano Man.” John
recorded a CD and is encouraging listeners to donate to MHOF to put more instruments into kids’ hands. Thanks for playing it forward, John. And a special thanks to his daughter Laurie for sending us a copy of her dad’s CD. She shared that her father, a 96 year-old WWII veteran, plays the piano every day!
