A Duarte elementary school will be expanding its music program next school year thanks to a donation of 56 new instruments, valued at more than $67,000, officials said.
The instruments are being donated to Beardslee Elementary School by the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, Duarte Unified School District officials said in a written statement.
“Beardslee Elementary will receive 56 new instruments — valued to be worth $67,148 — generously funded by StubHub, one of the world’s largest event ticket marketplaces,” according to the statement. “The instruments will be used to expand Beardslee’s current 5th (and) 6th-grade band program to include all 4th-grade students starting next school year, 2016-2017.”
Beardslee Principal Jeni Romero thanked the donors for their help.
“The opportunity to play an instrument should be part of every child’s educational experience, and now our students have this chance who might not have been able to before,” she said. “We thank the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation for their continued support of our district, for recognizing we are making every effort to offer quality music education to our students, and for making a difference in the lives of Duarte’s children.”
Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation President and CEO Felice Mancini said the organization was happy to contribute.
“Learning music in school is a way to engage kids and give them something that makes them better students and better people. They deserve every tool available to help them receive a quality education, and we want to ensure that music is in that toolbox,” she said.
The foundation has partnered with the DUSD since 2013, with an initial donation of 67 instruments — valued at more than $97,000 — to Duarte High School and Northview Intermediate School.
“Since then, the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation has continued to support the expansion of the district’s music education programs K (though) 12,” according to the district DUSD statement.
“It is amazing to note that prior to 2013, there weren’t any formal music programs offered at Beardslee or any elementary school within the district,” the statement continued, “Today, because of the generous support of the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, Duarte Education Foundation, Arts for All and VH1 Save the Music Foundation, next year all 4-6th grade students at Beardslee will have the opportunity to participate in band.”
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