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Nightingale Middle School
The music students at Nightingale Middle School don’t shrink from a challenge.
At this large school in northeastern Los Angeles, 185 students from sixth to eighth grade are taking advantage of every opportunity to learn music through band, orchestra and mariachi classes. Last summer, many of the students even had the chance to perform at California Adventure, a popular theme park.
The journey to the stage taught our students far more than just how to perform...It showed them that overcoming obstacles requires perseverance, a key trait of a lifelong learner. It also gave them the chance to take a healthy risk by performing on a professional stage, building confidence that will serve them well beyond our program.” - Mr. Jose Medina, Music Director
But barriers often stand in the way of these students’ success. Nearly 90% of the student body is economically disadvantaged and rely on school provided instruments. The program's limited budget is not enough to buy new instruments, so Mr. Medina has to borrow from neighboring schools. Because there aren’t enough tubas and double basses, the students who want to learn them have to share, missing out on valuable playing time. Even the big trip to California Adventure was nearly cancelled—until parents, community members, and fundraisers saved the day. “It showed the students the power of a community coming together, teaching them what it means to be good people who support one another to achieve a common goal.” - Mr. Medina
These students need your support
Mr. Medina's goal: ensuring that every student has the tools they need to pursue a quality music education.
After many years without a steady music teacher, the middle school students at Nightingale are inspired by seeing Mr. Medina’s commitment to building the program, and the California Adventure experience built even more excitement for the school’s music program. “Many students expressed that the trip felt like a meaningful reward for their dedication. They loved the thrill of performing at a well-known theme park, enjoyed spending time with their classmates, and forged lasting friendships and memories.
“High-quality instruments would help us build on this momentum, ensuring our students have the equipment they need not just to perform on a grand stage, but to practice, grow, and build the skills that will make future opportunities like this possible for years to come.” - Mr. Medina
DONATE TODAY!
Your donation goes to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, allowing the foundation to work with the Nightingale Middle School 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 the 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.
