At University High, band is a place where students discover their abilities and gain confidence. They are motivated to learn music and love to perform. Band Director Ishwann Dixon is building a program his 92 students can take pride in. This year, his students performed in the district’s annual Battle of the Bands for the first time. The ensemble received several honorable mentions and judges told them their sound ranked with the top schools – a proud moment that reflects the dedication of the students and their teacher.

However, the school’s instrument shortage is continuously creating problems for the kids.

Many instruments are reaching the end of their lifespan. Mr. Dixon and his students take pride in maintaining them, but years of use and repeated repairs have taken their toll. With 83% of the student body being economically disadvantaged, the majority of the students rely on the school-provided instruments.

Trombones are a particularly urgent need, as many have slides that no longer move properly. Trumpets struggle with worn valves that make playing difficult. Several saxophones are missing necks, and because the instruments are so old, replacement parts are no longer manufactured – making them impossible to repair. At a recent concert, one saxophone fell apart moments before the performance, creating a stressful situation for a student.

What’s worse is that some kids who want to be in band are unable to join because there are no instruments for them.

Despite these obstacles, the students continue to show enthusiasm and determination. Recently, Mr. Dixon borrowed four instruments from a neighboring school to help meet the need. The difference was immediate. One trombone player told him the new instrument made playing “so much easier,” allowing him to focus on making music instead of fighting against the equipment.

With new, reliable instruments, Mr. Dixon could welcome more students into the band, strengthen the ensemble, and ensure that passionate learners have the tools they need to succeed.

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.

How we select schools:

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.