For more than 40 years, Kennedy Middle School in Redwood City, CA, has been rich with opportunities for students to build confidence, create community, and experience joy through music. Today there are 226 students taking part in seven band and orchestra programs, including Jazz Band.

Music Teacher Endre Balogh says participation is strong because students are excited about the quality and musicianship of the program. For three years, Kennedy’s jazz band, concert band, and orchestra have each earned first place awards in the “excellent” category of their competitions. Students also enjoy the spotlight at public events, including a winter concert at a local mall, a performance at a new train station opening, and appearances in the annual Veteran’s Day parade.

The Kennedy students’ success is even more impressive when you consider the daily challenges they overcome. Some are using the first instruments the school ever bought—back in 1980! Many of the instruments are more than three times beyond their extended lifespan. Repair costs often exceed the value of the instruments themselves, so new ones are desperately needed. With a student body that is over 70% economically disadvantaged, school provided instruments are essential to ensure every student can participate in music.

All those aged instruments keep the repair shop busy. But when their instruments are out, students have to share the ones that work—especially the eight tuba players who are always short because one or two of their instruments are always out of commission at any given time. But that doesn’t daunt these students! One tuba player, Isabella, comes to class full of smiles, says Mr. Blough, undeterred by daily struggles with her case that is falling apart and held together by zip ties, and an aged instrument that is so beat up, she has to ask Mr. Balogh every day to help her release the slide.

Another determined tuba player is Jack. He had an idea about a certain sound he wanted to make so he engineered and 3-D printed his own mouthpiece. Mr. Balogh is so proud to see a student combine their two interests and show off their creativity!

By adopting Kennedy Middle School, you can help place brand new instruments into the hands of students like Isabella and Jack.

Donate today!

Your donation goes to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, allowing the foundation to work with the school's music teacher to purchase the school’s needed instruments. Instruments are then delivered directly to the school.

Every contribution helps! Your generous support will:

*Equip students with high-quality instruments

*Expand access to music education and grow participation

*Inspire creativity, confidence, and success in school and life

How your donation works:

Your cash donation goes directly to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to help purchase the instruments each school needs at deeply discounted rates (typically one-third of retail price). Instruments are delivered directly to the school; no cash is given to schools. A 5% service fee is retained by JustGiving, and the Foundation retains 10% to cover administrative costs, including school vetting and grant management.

With generous and transformative support from Eddie Van Halen over the years and now continuing through his son Wolfgang, 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.

How we select schools:

The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation identifies schools through a combination of outreach and research, focusing on those that meet specific grant eligibility requirements. Once a school is determined to be eligible, the music teacher is invited to complete a detailed grant application and participate in an in-person or virtual site visit. This process helps the Foundation understand the school’s unique needs and ensures that any donation will result in a sustainable, long-term impact on students’ access to music education.

More ways to help:

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 Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation's Adopt A School campaign, visit mhopus.org/adopt-a-school or contact us at info@mhopus.org or 818-762-4328.