The JHS 189q Daniel Carter Beard band program needs your help! The program is in need of trumpets, clarinets, flutes, trombones, and alto saxophones to allow additional students to participate and reduce students sharing instruments.

"It is evident how music is appreciated throughout young people's lives, just based on their positive attitudes when coming to class. When students come in saying they "couldn't wait for music", it makes everyone’s day better.. Their faces light up particularly when making their first sounds on instruments. It looks difficult, but when they see that they can achieve something, their imaginations explode! Many students in the school are immigrants, some who do not speak English. Music has allowed them to communicate and give them another outlet.

Middle school is arguably one of the most difficult parts of growing up, but when students say "this is one class I actually like" or show improvement in behavior because they know band is on the line, it shows that band makes a difference. Students come into class reading ahead in their method books trying to find the most difficult line they can play or try to play their favorite songs by ear.

Just about every instrument in the inventory is used by multiple students, and due to the majority of the student body living in poverty, most are unable to afford instruments or even rent them. A number of students had to be turned away due to lack of inventory.

Due to many instruments being shared, a handful have to be sent out for repair, causing other instruments to have additional students on them. A donation would help expand the instrument inventory, therefore having fewer students share and lessening the chance of damage or repair. It would also allow the program to expand and accept more students that want to be in the music program." - Calli Goldman, Music Teacher

With generous and transformative support from Eddie Van Halen over the years and now continuing through his son Wolfgang, The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation is pleased to announce that the Van Halen Family has committed to kickstarting the Adopt A School campaign with a generous $1,000 donation towards each of the first 100 participating schools.

Schools participating in the Adopt A School campaign are qualified through MHOF’s vetting and eligibility process, giving donors confidence that their investment is protected and sustainable, impacting students for a minimum of 10 years (the lifespan of an instrument in a school setting.) Donations made to this school’s fundraising campaign go directly to The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (MHOF). MHOF then purchases the specific instruments the school is in need of at a substantially discounted price and the instruments deliver directly to the school.

Donate today and help these students foster their love of music, every dollar counts!

To spread the word on social media or link to this page in your own fundraising efforts, use the links below! And to learn more about The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation's Adopt A School campaign, visit mhopus.org/adopt-a-school or contact MHOF at info@mhopus.org or 818-762-4328.

[5% of donations are retained for JustGiving’s required service fee, MHOF retains an additional 10% to cover administrative costs associated with school vetting and granting of instruments.]