Xylophones

Harris Elementary

Harris currently has an incomplete set of xylophones. With students sitting two or three to an instrument there is still not enough room for every one. Grant money will allow us to repair currently unusable instruments and to complete our set of xylophones so that every child in a class of 30 will have a place at an instrument.

Why is this project important?

1) Harris School has a culturally and economically diverse population. Even with our incomplete set of instruments we have observed the unifying effect that playing together can provide to this diverse student population. Instrumental music builds social bridges for kids coming from different backgrounds including Koreans and Latinos some of whom are still struggling with singing in English but are able to connect with the instruments.
2) Science keeps confirming what our intuition already knows: participation in musical activity is crucial for optimal brain function, academic achievement and socialization. Singing, movement and instruments each have distinct ways to help develop body, mind and spirit.
3) Musical literacy. Xylophones provide a great way to develop rhythmic and melodic literacy.

Who, and how many, will be served?

Every student (K-5) in a school of 200 students will be served. Quality instruments played by students who are trained to care for them will last for many years. In addition to their use in the classroom the instruments will be used in school performances community performances: nursing homes, Saturday market collaborative events with other schools

How will you evaluate the success of this project?

The success of this project has already been evaluated in a small way because we have an incomplete set of instruments that the students have been using in rotation fashion. It is already easy to observe that they are learning and bonding in a new way. Their enthusiasm for the instruments is universal and many students achieve new levels of discipline and focus when there are instrumental opportunities to be had. Future success of this program will be evaluated by:

1) student's level of enthusiasm for music
2) staff and parent feedback
3) student's increased playing and reading ability
4) degree of class unity

Does this proposal build upon existing programs at your school?

1) Yes. We already have a very strong singing based music program. Instruments would expand our program and build on our success.
2) Music and music reading are becoming a larger part of our school-wide literacy program

How will the funds be spent?

Repair existing instruments and to purchase new instruments to complete our ensemble.