Voices for Music

In April, we asked the music teachers at schools that received a grant of instruments from the foundation, to give their students a chance to express their thoughts about what playing music means to them and the impact the donation had on their lives. We also told them that the most compelling, meaningful and creative submission would receive a brand new Yamaha instrument for their program.

The foundation's board of directors had the honor to review the entries and choose the one that, in their view, touched them the most.

We hope you enjoy reading, watching and listening to what they all had to say. They are listed by the name of the school, location, name of music teacher and when their grant was awarded.

Winning entry was submitted by Christina Luna

Procter R. Hug High School, Reno NV - Joseph Savage, 2011

• "Music's Impact on My Life" by Christina Luna

Armand Larive Middle School, Hermiston OR - Brook White, Summer 2007

• Powerpoint presentation

Belmont High School, Los Angeles CA - Brian Higa, Fall 2006

• Student Letter
  

Esperanza High School, Anaheim CA - Kathryn Crask, Fall 2002

• Short Essay by Stephanie Tu
• Poem by Brandon Cotta and Ryan Peterman
• "Grand Basses" a haiku by Maggie Shepard
• Rap song by Andrew Benz
• Song by Sehyn Kim and Julia Dickau

Fair Avenue Elementary School, North Hollywood CA - John Balbuena, Fall 2008

• Student Letter
  

Hardwick Elementary School, Hardwick VT - Jodi Ethier, Fall 2008

• Student Letter by Clara Lew-Smith
  

Marie Curie Middle School 158, Bayside NY - Jennifer Schecter, Winter 2009

• "Music to Me" a poem by Jonathan Chan
• Student Poem
  
• Poem by Samantha Lau
• Poem by Neil Chen
• Poem by Sandeep Voleti
• "Music, M.S.158, and Our Lives" a poem by Amanda Tran
• Essay by Cindy Hu
• "True from the Heart" a poem by Elizabeth Ha

Nicholas County High School, Carlisle KY - Debbie Hale, Fall 2006

• "Three Brothers and a Piano" by Max Scalf
  

S.P. Waltrip High School, Houston TX - Charles Stephens, Spring 2010

• Letter by Charles Stephens, Band Director
  

Stanley G. Falk School, Buffalo NY - Mark Blesy, 2011

• "Music" a video poem by Shetara R.

Stuart Middle School, Louisville KY - Michelle Gilfert, Spring 2010

• "Thank you" video

Thomas Marks Elementary School, Wilson NY - Tammy Rohring, Winter 2003

• "Music in my life"
• "My Band Story" by MacGregor Musall
  
• Video interview with Dan, a former Thomas Marks Elementary School student
• "My Saxophone Legend" by Elizabeth Soles
  
• "Music All Around" by Lindsey Pawlak
  

Weehawken High School, Weehawken NJ - Michael Lichtenfeld, Summer 2006

• Poem "Drumline" by Emily Chong
• Poems "Life with Music" by Genna Fakuda and "Life in the Band" by Hennessy Torres
  
• Poems "Drums" by Nairobi Mesa and Karena Gutierrez and "Inspiration Through the Notes" by Daniel Cajina
  
• Poems "Music and Me" by Elijah Duncan and "MUSIC" by Monica Fernandez
  

West Harrison Community School, Mondamin IA - Bev Hutchinson, Fall 2004

• "The Choice" a video by Bre and Katie C.