Tipitina’s Foundation is proud to announce the awarding of 127 new musical instruments to 8 New Orleans area schools. This year’s Instruments A Comin’ Award, valued at nearly $200,000, will effectively increase the number of students able to participate in school music programs.
This year’s Instruments A Comin’ recipient schools are:
• Sophie B. Wright Charter School
• Lake Area New Tech Early College High School
• Eleanor McMain Secondary School
• Cohen College Prep High
• McDonough 35 High School
• West Jefferson High School
• Martin Behrman Charter School
• Mildred Osborne Charter School
Tipitina’s Foundation Programs Staff work with area schools to seek out exemplary band directors in need of resources to further the reach and potential of their music programs. Each of these schools was selected as a result of the demonstrated talent and commitment of the music instructors leading these school music programs.
Nearly $100,000 was raised at the Instruments A Comin’ Fundraiser held on April 27, 2013. Partnerships with New Orleans Music Exchange, Jupiter Instruments, and Lafargue Pianos allow Tipitina’s Foundation to stretch donated dollars by purchasing instruments at deeply discounted prices.
For more than a decade, Instruments A Comin’ has placed new band instruments in deserving school music programs. To date, Tipitina’s Foundation has placed more than $2.7 million worth of instruments in 79 Louisiana schools. Instruments A Comin’ is now steadily expanding throughout the state with awards in Shreveport, Lake Charles, and Alexandria. The Foundation will begin making annual awards in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Monroe in early 2014.
“Strong band directors don’t just teach music; they teach respect and build character,” says Emily Menard, Programs Manager. “Respect for instruments and the ensemble translates into respect for others and yourself.” Students in these recipient school music programs are expected reap the many personal and educational benefits that participation in music education has been proven to offer.
Instrument awards will be delivered directly to recipient schools in the coming weeks.