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Congratulations to our 1st quarter recipients!

Baltimore MD Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: BSO’s OrchKids program provides quality instruments and training to students in seven schools in the Baltimore area. They are planning on expansion to 2 more schools this year. They need an infusion of more instruments to support this expansive community outreach initiative. We are offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this prominent orchestra’s outreach program in the Baltimore community.

Bristol VA Birthplace of Country Music: this organization’s Pick Along Summer program for kids ages 8- 16 encourages young people to learn the Appalachian music tradition. They learn basic playing skills and some of the history of this great tradition. An important focus is on providing this experience to students from disadvantaged backgrounds; they serve kids from numerous Title 1 schools in the area. We’ve offered them a matching grant of $540 to further encourage this private organization’s work.

Burlingame KS Burlingame Schools Orchestra: this rural public school orchestra program in eastern Kansas serves kids grades 3- 12; this request is specific to students grades 7-12. They need an influx of new violins to allow access to students and families unable to afford them. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this rural community’s growth in an area the lower Midwest where we have little presence.

Columbus OH Horizon Science Academy: This urban public charter school in Columbus has an orchestra program serving students grade 7-8. They need and influx of new instruments to support and encourage new enrollment. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this school’s educational initiative.

Davis UT USD: This public school in the Salt Lake City metro area is building its music program for grades 3-12 via ukulele instruction; many of the kids in the school have expressed interest in starting their music experience through this medium. Most students involved are on free or reduced lunch, and CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this Western school’s growing string program.

Denver CO Young Artist Orchestra: this organization’s TuneUp program serves several schools in the Denver and Aurora Area with instruction and instruments for kids grades 3-8. They need more instruments to support their work in the schools. They focus on supporting the most disadvantaged students in the district; CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $972 to encourage this youth orchestra’s expansion in the Intermountain West.

Elgin IL Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra: This youth orchestra’s Starter Strings program serves nearly 90 kids in the fourth grade from two schools in the Elgin area. They need more inventory to support this growing program. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this Midwestern youth orchestra’s admirable community outreach program.

Jacksonville FL Global Outreach Charter Academy: This school is creating a Global Arts Ensemble. The School, which serves nearly 2,000 kids grades 3-6 in the Jacksonville area, is starting a new string initiative, bringing strings education into their existing cultural and educational programs. We are offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this academy’s musical growth.

Los Angeles CA Global Arts Orchestra: This organization’s school is starting a new string program to complement an existing wind ensemble; they need an infusion of string instruments to start developing this new program. They serve disadvantaged kids ages 8–13 in an industrial area of LA that lacks Green space and cultural opportunities. CFKF is offering them a grant of $1,500 to encourage the development this new initiative in in economically challenged area of LA.

New York City, NY Opportunity Music Project: we have given a few grants to this organization over the past several years; they serve kids ages 5–18 from around the New York Metro area with instruments and teaching. They are building a bass ensemble and need a few more instruments to help establish and run this new initiative. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,100 to further encourage this urban youth initiative’s artistic activism.

Newport News VA Peninsula Youth Orchestra: this youth orchestra, involving students ages 7-25 from the Virginia Peninsula, needs a small infusion of better instruments for their more advanced players. They support Title one schools in the area with after school musical training and performance experience in the area. We are offering PYO a matching grant of $886 to encourage this youth orchestra’s continued growth.

Norman OK NPS: this suburban community near Oklahoma City hopes to build its beginner string program, particularly for young cellists, with an infusion of new instruments. Most of the Elementary and middle schools are Title I, and CFKF is offering them a grant of $1,500 to encourage this public school’s growing ensemble program.

Oahu HI Grace Place HI: this organization has an after-school program that they are building a music component for through ukulele instruction. They serve kids K-12 from around windward Oahu; their goal is to provide a safe and inspiring after school environment with music as a core experience. We are offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this afterschool program’s music experience.

Paterson, NJ Second Generation Music: this organization in the NYC metro area, which offers musical training and instruments to young musicians from around the Paterson area, is starting its first Youth ensemble. They need and infusion of new instruments to accomplish this goal. We are offering them them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this New Jersey youth initiative’s new program.

Raleigh NC SMART BUS: this organization serving Wake County has started a new community-based orchestra program for kids grades 3-7. Their hope is to explore classical music in ways that are relevant to the population they serve. Their student population is historically underserved; CFKF has offered them a matching grant of $1,500 to support this after-school program’s new initiative.

Salinas CA Alisal Center for the Fine Arts: This program serving students in the Alisal School district is building a Mariachi ensemble program and needs an infusion of guitars for that purpose. They serve a predominantly Hispanic Community with many migrant workers, often with single parent families. The Center has created a music program to fill a void in the public schools. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this program’s important work.

San Luis Obispo CA San Luis Obispo Symphony: This orchestra has created the Strings in Schools program, working with beginning string players grades 3-6. This program replaces the spring programs that were eliminated in the California schools in the 1980s. They wish to expand to a fourth school and need more inventory to support that growth. 59% of the students qualify for the Federal free lunch program.  CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this local orchestra’s admirable education outreach program.

Savannah GA SK Taylor Community School: This community school serving kids grades K-8 is starting a new string program to introduce students to music learning and performance opportunities. They need a collection of new instruments to accomplish this goal. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this Southeastern school’s inaugural string program.

Stamford CT INTEMPO: we gave a Grant submission to this organization several years ago; they serve disadvantaged kids grades K – 12 in the Stamford area. They need some new instruments to serve there more advanced students, allowing them to explore more advanced repertoire. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,273 to continue to encourage this strong program’s activities.

Surprise AZ RNL Youth: This organization serving kids grades K-8 is starting a new afterschool strings program through ukulele instruction; they operate in the western suburbs of Phoenix. They need an infusion of new instruments to begin this program. We are offering them a matching grant of $350 to encourage this organization’s new strings initiative.

Tacoma WA Tacoma Youth Symphony: TYS offers free ukulele instruction to students of all ages in the Tacoma area. They need many more instruments to serve their growing program. The focus of this request is for 4^th Grade students in two area schools; we are offering them a matching grant of $950 to encourage this youth orchestra’s growing ensemble program in an area we have little presence.

Talkeetna AK Denali Arts Council: This organization serves a very rural area in Alaska, working with kids grades 6-12. They are creating musical opportunities otherwise unavailable in this remote area. Many families there live without running water and off the grid. The student population is predominantly Caucasian and Native Alaskan, with many low-income families and kids at high risk. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this remote Alaskan music program for young people.

Tampa FL Roland Park K-8 Magnet School:  this magnet school has a vibrant violin program; their teacher wishes to start a new cello ensemble to complement their offerings. This program serves kids grades K-5; CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this organization’s new cello initiative.

Whittier CA Jordan Elementary Mariachi Juvenil: this school in Southern California serving grades 3-6 has a mariachi program that was started by a teacher donating his own instruments for use. There is a strong demand for more instruments to help the program expand. We are offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this individual teacher’s dedication and community support.

Wilmington DE Edge for Tomorrow: This organization’s new “Pluck and Play” program’s goal is to offer basic music learning and performance opportunities through guitar instruction. They serve kids grades K-5 in the Wilmington area; we are offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this youth program’s growth.

Worcester MA Chamber Music Society: This organization sponsors Neighborhood Strings, a fairly new and innovative after-school program supporting the music experience for kids at risk in the Worcester area grades 2-12. We have given two other grants there in the past few years. The student population includes many immigrant families and refugees. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to continue to further encourage this pathbreaking organization’s work.

Congratulations to our 3rd quarter grant recipients!

Montrose, CO: Colorado West Christian School: This is our second grant offering to this school; we gave a grant there in 2021. Their string program is growing quickly and they have a need for more new inventory to support that growth. CFKF has offered them a matching grant of $1,000 to further encourage this private school’s work in this area of the intermountain West.

Nampa, ID: Ridgeview High School: This school serving students grades 9-19 in a large rural area needs an infusion of new cellos and a double bass to support their growing class and allow students to leave their larger instruments at home. We’ve offered them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this rural community’s growth in an area we are hoping to build our presence.

New York Mills, MN: Roots and Wings Forest School: Located in a small rural community (pop.: 1,000), this private school for kids grades K-4 is starting a new music program with ukulele instruction, teaching students fundamentals of rhythm, ear training and more. This is the only string program in the area. CFKF is offering $240 to encourage this rural community’s new string program in the upper Midwest.

NYC, NY: Harmony Project Hudson: This Harmony Project serves kids grades pre K-8 in Title I schools in the Hudson area. The program is growing quickly, and they have a need for more inventory. They offer year-round music instruction and ensemble experience. We’ve offered them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this Harmony Project’s growing string program.

Newark, DE: Christ the Teacher Catholic School: This faith-based school serving kids grades pre-K through 8 is starting a new string program to teach kids fundamentals of strings training. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $950 to encourage this Delaware school’s music experience.

Oklahoma City, OK: Harding Fine Arts Academy: This public charter school arts academy located in central Oklahoma City serves kids grades 9-12; they wish to expand their ensemble program to offer this experience to more of their students. Students come from around the metro area (students from 40 zip codes participate) We’ve offered them a grant of $1,500 to encourage this Academy’s growing ensemble program.

Washington, DC: Payne Saturday Arts Academy: The Payne Academy serves kids grades K-5 from around the DC area; their goal is to provide a weekend music experience and access to instruments without cost to any student wishing to attend. They offer beginner lessons alongside music literacy. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this urban program’s growing weekend string program for young people.

Washington, DC: Two Rivers Charter School: This open enrollment charter school serving kids grades 3-8 is creating a middle school orchestra. They need an infusion of new cellos to allow further access to the program for cellists grades 6-8. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,085 to encourage this charter school’s growing string program.

Waterville, ME: Public Schools: This is our second grant offering to Waterville; this economically disadvantaged community with high unemployment serves students grades 4-12 in this central Maine community. The program is growing rapidly and they need more instruments to keep pace with that growth. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this Maine school’s continued growth.

By the end of the program, they stood at the front of the row, eager to play and show off their skills.

Boys and Girls Clubs of San Dieguito

“What has been most exciting is seeing how the kids have blossomed and grown, from knowing little to nothing about music to being able to strum, learn chords, read measures and notes, memorize and perform a song, and even teach each other. When a little girl came to class wanting to learn, the other children taught her how to hold the ukulele, how to play the notes, and helped her perform a song with them. We hope that this inspires them to pursue further music education, and maybe even become a musician themselves one day. “”What has been most exciting is seeing how the kids have blossomed and grown, from knowing little to nothing about music to being able to strum, learn chords, read measures and notes, memorize and perform a song, and even teach each other. When a little girl came to class wanting to learn, the other children taught her how to hold the ukulele, how to play the notes, and helped her perform a song with them. We hope that this inspires them to pursue further music education, and maybe even become a musician themselves one day. “

“Throughout the program, 5 ukuleles at each site were left for youth to use between lessons. Consistently, youth used them for their private practice. One young boy played the ukulele for three hours, not stopping until his parents came to pick him up: he was determined to play “Peaches” by Jack Black and continued to learn the song with the instructors’ help.”

Brownsburg, IN: Brownsburg Education Foundation: Brownsburg is a suburb just west of Indianapolis; their large public school music program is seeking to increase the number of ukuleles to be able to offer 1:1 availability of instruments for their students in the K-5 age group. This experience also prepares them for entrance into more advanced stringed instruments. CFKF has offered them a matching grant of $1,000 to encourage this public school system’s important and empowering string program.

Buffalo, NY: Jewish Community Center: This JCC offers music instruction to students around the Buffalo area regardless of their race or religious affiliation. They seek to expand the number of instruments available particularly to families unable to afford them; they have a present focus on refugee families from Ukraine, Afghanistan and other countries.  CFKF has offered them a matching grant of $1,000 to encourage this organization’s efforts to provide the musical experience particularly for refugee children.

Herman, PA: The Summit School: The Summit School supports the positive development of males grades 7-12 referred by probation officers from a variety of states around the upper Midwest, East and as far away as Texas. Their music program is focused on providing a positive and pro-social experience to students coming from difficult backgrounds and experiences.  The student population is ethnically mixed. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,480 to encourage this organization’s important work.

Las Vegas, NV: FAYM: Las Vegas’ Foundation to Assist Young Musicians afterschool program works in an area of Las Vegas with high poverty; their goal with this grant is to replace broken instruments and increase their available inventory for their needy students grades K-12. The student population is primarily Hispanic. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,233 to encourage this organization’s music program for needy kids.

NYC, NY: UpBeat NYC: This organization, formed in 2009, provides free music instruction to students grades K-12 in the South Bronx area of NYC. They need to build inventory to better support the underserved and underrepresented families that participate in the program’s musical work, which is not present in the schools there. The student population is of color (70% Latinx/Hispanic and 30% African American; CFKF is offering them a grant of $1,500 to encourage this organization’s work in an economically and socially challenged area of NYC.

Oxnard, CA: Nyeland Promise:  Nyeland Promise’s work in the Nyeland Acres community in Ventura County serves the most economically challenged inhabitants there; the students’ age range from K-12. Their music program focuses on supporting the musical culture of the families there; 100% of the participants are Hispanic, and CFKF is offering them a grant of $1,500 to encourage this organization’s cultural and musical work.

Pittsburgh, PA: Community Specialists Corp.: CSP’s work focuses on at-risk females grades 7-12, providing musical activities that promote healing and growth. Students are referred there by probation officers and Office of Children, Youth and Families. They have a need for more instruments to support their work. CFKF has offered them a matching grant of $1,480 to encourage this organization’s work with at-risk females.

Pompano Beach, FL: Volta Music Foundation: Volta’s afterschool music program serving kids grades K-4 needs support to increase the number of double basses there. The students come from Title I schools, Boy and Girls Club, and community centers. 99% of the students involved are of color. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $723 to help them acquire another double bass.

San Diego, CA: Youth Symphony: SDYS, which engages students from around the San Diego area, has an Opus Project that seeks out underserved children grades 3–12 for participation in their free instruction and ensemble opportunities. They have a need for more instruments to support this initiative. The student population is ethnically and culturally diverse. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this well-known youth symphony’s important initiative supporting underserved youth.

Savannah, GA: DUET: This organization serves kids pre-K through ninth grade in the Savannah area. Their focus is on predominantly Black communities in the region; they have a need for many more instruments in order to expand their activities. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this organization’s efforts for underserved children.

Wichita Falls, TX: Youth Symphony Orchestra: This youth Orchestra’s K-5^th Grade program (GCAM) involving students from around the Wichita Falls area needs an influx of new instruments for their rental program, which also allows for periodic maintenance of these instruments. Students are encouraged afterward to audition for upper levels of this organization’s Orchestra program. CFKF is offering them a grant of $1,500 to encourage this Youth orchestra’s ability to offer strings instruction in an area of Texas we are building presence in.

CFKF is excited to share this great update from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, a CFKF matching grant recipient!

The Nouveau Program is a brilliant opportunity to pass on orchestral music to the next generation. During the participants’ performances, crowds are elated by the young people’s talent and dedication. All the Nouveau students performed at this year’s sold-out Classical Roots concert on April 14, 2023, at Music Hall. The students accompanied famed performers Ella Vaughn, vocalist, and George Shirley, tenor. The crowd was thrilled! Some students also performed at the Hispanic Heritage Chamber. Both events showcased the students’ dedication, talent, and commitment to their communities. Members of the Nouveau Program provide hope for a diverse orchestra that touches the heartstrings of its audience.

This work is possible because of Classics for Kids and like-minded individuals who know the value of music and music education. Thank you!

Congratulations to our 1st Quarter Grant recipients!

Chandler, AZ: East Valley Jewish Community Center: This community center serving young children pre-K through kindergarten wishes to start a new string program with guitars for their kids, teaching them motor skills, communication, teamwork and language skills. We’ve offered them a grant of $1,500 to encourage this community center’s growing program in an area we are growing presence.

Chicago, IL; Chicago Public Schools Foundation: This grant request is specific to the school system’s Chopin Elementary School Orchestra serving kids grades K-8. They need an expanded inventory of instruments so that students have access to them, both for classes at and after school, as well as for home practice.  CFKF has offered them a grant of $1,500 from the Hilger reserve to encourage this public school’s important and empowering string program.

Corvallis, MT: MS and HS Orchestras: This rural community south of Missoula has a growing orchestra program (it grew 25 % the past 2 years) in need of more quality instruments to be made available to kids grades 5-12 there. This is the only community within 40 miles that has an orchestra initiative. We’ve offered them a grant of $1,500 to encourage this public school system’s string program in the predominantly rural state where CFKF was born.

Elgin, IL: Eljin Youth Symphony Orchestra: EYSO wishes to build an inventory for their tuition-free Starter Strings program serving kids in 4^th grade. They hope to provide these instruments in particular for families unable to afford instrument purchase or rental. Elgin is one of the fastest-growing cities in Illinois, and we’ve offered them a grant of $1,500 to encourage this public school’s string program.

Gainesville, FL: Cornerstone Academy Music: This private school serving kids grades  5-12 wishes to help their students achieve more advanced musical skills with quality instruments. The students come from several counties in north-central Florida. CFKF has offered them a grant of $1,000 to encourage this program’s growth in an area of Florida where we have a growing presence.

Marietta, GA: Marietta, GA City Schools: The Marietta High School orchestra, serving students grades 9-12, has a healthy double bass section, but needs another double bass for all of the students to be able to perform at concerts. The student population is diverse; we’ve offered them a grant of $862 from the Hilger reserve to encourage this public school’s string program.

Miami, FL: Salvation Army: This Miami branch of TSA has a band program serving kids grades 1-9, and they wish to develop a new string program to be able to offer a complete musical experience to their students. We’ve offered them a grant of $1,500 from the Hilger reserve to encourage this great organization’s  new strings initiative.

NYC, NY: Developing Artists: This organization is a nonprofit arts school dedicated to creating performance opportunities for their students, including spoken words, beats and songs. They are in need of several new instruments to fully offer that experience to their students. They serve kids grades 9-12 from all 5 boroughs of NYC. CFKF has offered them a grant of $1,575 to support this new initiative.

Takoma Park, MD: Don Bosco Cristo Rey HS: This high school serving students grades 9-12 wishes to build a new string program, responding to students’ appeals for more arts electives. In order to initiate this program, they need a starter inventory. The school draws kids from as far as DC metro; we’ve offered them $809 from the Hilger reserve to support the initiation of this new program in an economically challenged area.

Washington, DC: Serve Your City: This program serving kids grades 3-11 believes that the arts can empower the most underserved populations in the DC metro area. They presently have no owned inventory of stringed instruments, and need to have a quality and reliable inventory of their own to support their students. We’ve offered them $1,500 from the Hilger reserve to support the initiation of this new program in an economically challenged area.

Congratulations to these recipients!

Baltimore MD Strawbridge School Music Program: This school serving kids grades 3-12 wishes to further increase their immersion in music with more instruments and community outreach. CFKF has offered them a matching grant of $1,500 from the Hilger reserve to encourage this innovative community initiative.

Coral Gables FL G.W. Carver Elementary School: This ethnically diverse elementary school serving kids grades 3-5 wishes to provide equitable access to the musical experience. The instruments they have are of poor quality; they need a substantial infusion of new instruments to build their orchestra program. We’ve offered them a matching grant of $1,500 from the Hilger reserve to encourage the revitalization of their string program.

Kansas City MO Providence School of the Arts: This private arts school serving kids pre-K through 8^th grade wishes to expand the quality and quantity of stringed instruments in order to provide more access to strings and the inspiration of a quality instrument. CFKF has offered them a matching grant of $1,500 from the Hilger reserve to encourage this program’s continued growth.

La Jolla CA Community Music Center: This center, supported by the La Jolla Music Society, gives after-school bilingual support to underserved kids grades 3-12 in the Logan Heights community of south-central San Diego. They need a further infusion of quality new instruments to give access to strings to more of their students, who can use them at school and at home. We’ve offered them a matching grant of $1,500 from the Hilger reserve to encourage the growth of this needed program in an economically challenged area of San Diego.

Lodge Grass MT Public Schools: This is a new string program being initiated on the Crow Reservation in Montana. They’ve had an active band program there for years, but this is their inauguration of a string program. The student population is nearly 100% native Apsaalouke. We’ve offered them a grant of $2,500 from the Hilger fund to support this important new initiative in one of the most economically challenged areas in America.

Los Angeles CA A Place Called Home: This is our second grant request from APCH; we gave them a grant in 2021. For this grant request, they are serving kids grades 4-7 with beginner collective instruction, and there’s great interest in developing a solid ensemble program. CFKF has offered them a grant of $1,500 from the Hilger reserve to further encourage the growth of this needed program in the most impoverished area of Los Angeles.

Oklahoma City OK El Sistema Oklahoma: This program serves kids grades 3-12 from around Oklahoma City; they need an infusion of better and larger instruments to support their students as they grow (they still only have the instruments they received as beginners). CFKF is offering a matching grant of $1,500 from the Hilger reserve to encourage the growth of this much-needed program.

Providence RI Community MusicWorks: This is our second application from CMW; we gave our first grant there several years ago. CMW is one of the most highly regarded programs serving at-risk youth in America; This grant is part of a larger goal of having quality instruments for all of their students; they need larger size instruments for their growing violinists and cellists. CFKF is offering a matching grant of $1,500 from the Hilger reserve to encourage this well-known and groundbreaking program.

Stamford CT INTEMPO Music School: This is our second request from INTEMPO; we gave them a grant in 2021. This after-school music program offers instruction to kids pre-K through 12^th grade from around the general area of Stamford. They have a need for quality and appropriately sized instruments to best serve kids as they grow and that inspire them. We are offering a matching grant of $1,500 to help this excellent and much-needed programs for kids at risk in the Stamford area.

Congratulations to these recipients!

Cincinnati, OH: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra: This prominent orchestra has created the Nouveau Program, which strives to support increased opportunities in music to kids of African American and Latine heritage. The students receive chamber music coaching and experience in age-appropriate workshops. They have a need for more quality instruments that the students can practice on at home and participate in the program with. CFKF gave them a grant of $2,000 from the Hilger reserve to encourage the community initiative of this venerable orchestra.

New Haven, CT: Music Haven: This is our second grant offering to Music Haven; we gave them a grant several years ago. They serve kids grades 1-12 from around the New Haven area, providing private lessons, chamber music coaching and mentoring. As their program and instrumental offerings grow, they need support for more good and appropriately sized instruments. We gave them a grant of $1,500 from the Hilger reserve to encourage the continued growth of their innovative and immersive program.

Porterville, CA: Porterville Strings: This after-school program in a rural farming area of California with a large migrant population is creating an orchestral experience that kids wouldn’t have after the 8^th grade, where the string program ends in the public schools. They have a strong need for more stringed instruments to fulfill this vision. CFKF has offered them a grant of $1,500 from the Hilger reserve to encourage the growth of this needed program.

Washington, D.C.: Center City Public Charter School: With this grant request, this organization hopes to build a strong string program on their Brightwood campus; they serve kids grades 2-8 in Northwest Washington DC.  We offered them a grant of $2,000 from the Hilger reserve to encourage the growth of their string program.

Wenatchee, WA: Pinnacles Prep: Wenatchee Prep, located in a rural area east of Seattle, is a new public charter school serving kids grades 6-8. They are building a new string program and need a starter inventory of instruments to build interest and accessibility to strings. We offered them a grant of $1,500 from the Hilger reserve to encourage the initiation of their program in an area of the Northwest where we are growing our presence.

West Bloomfield, MI: This school serving kids pre-K-4^th grade northwest of Detroit is starting a new program offering ukulele instruction, music theory and understanding of music notation. They serve kids from 4 communities, including school choice students from other school districts. CFKF offered them a grant of $1,500 to help this school begin a new music program through ukulele instruction.

Students are very eager to learn the ukulele.

Kearney Public Schools

The funding received from [CFKF] has impacted students attending 10 elementary schools. Each school has received a set of ukuleles that are used in music instruction and performances. The ukuleles help us teach our curriculum and build necessary skills students will utilize as they develop their musician skills. We have implemented ukuleles into our fourth and fifth grade curriculum–which has introduced students to the string family. Our students are learning about half and whole steps, major and minor, intervals, chord progressions, harmonies, and strum patterns. Strum patterns will in turn help reinforce steady beat and rhythm patterns. Students are discovering how string instruments produce sound through vibrations and being able to improvise simple chord progressions. Eventually, students will even learn to accompany themselves while singing. 

We will also use the ukuleles during our music programs. We want parents to see students actively making music to encourage them to support their children’s musical journey. The ukuleles will be a key part of our students’ development of a life-long love of making music.