The goal of this project is to provide new and used musical instruments to increase at-risk youth participation in the Greater New Orleans area public school music programs and marching bands.
While most schools across the country need musical instruments and classes, the need continues to be especially acute in post-Katrina New Orleans, as looted or flood damaged schools reopen and new schools are founded. Currently 30% of New Orleans schools do not have music programs and 90% of the students we serve are minorities who qualify for free and reduced price lunch. Our efforts focus on these at-risk youth ages 12 through 19 with limited or no access to instruments or music programs.
The instruments will be used by scores of children who would not otherwise be able to enjoy the developmental, social and cultural benefits of musical performance in a city struggling to hold on to its musical legacy.
Providing musical instruments to a new generation will not only keep the musical legacy of New Orleans alive, but will provide at-risk youth with skills and professional opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
