'Amazing Day' — Gift of 12 musical instruments 'means everything' to Parker Middle School
The Taunton Daily Gazette
“Today means everything to our students, our school committee, building leaders, our performing arts director, and the City of Taunton. The Arts are just as important as our academic and athletic programs, and, specifically, our band program,” said Chris Baratta, assistant superintendent for Taunton Public Schools, regarding a donation to the music department at John F. Parker Middle School.
Five clarinets and seven trumpets were donated by nonprofit organization Music Drives Us, which supplies grants to schools and programs all across New England.
“We seek out organizations and individuals interested in using music as a tool to better the lives of people in all segments of society,” said Peggy Rose, publicist for Music Drives Us.
Representatives from Music Drives Us, as well as the administration for Taunton Public Schools, descended on the music department at Parker Middle School the morning of Thursday, May 29 for an official presenting of the instruments and their cases.
“Any chance we have to go into the community and encourage and inspire kids to continue their study of a musical instrument is an amazing day. Every student deserves a chance to discover their voice through music, and that’s what Music Drives Us is all about,” said Jacyn Tremblay, program coordinator for Music Drives Us.
A couple of musical selections were performed by an ensemble of 7th and 8th graders for the presentation.
Corey Beltram, performing arts coordinator for Taunton Public Schools, said the new instruments will be for part of the school’s inventory and for students who need to borrow them for class.
“Today’s donation goes to the future,” said Beltram.
What is Music Drives Us?
Music Drives Us was founded in 2006 by Ernie Boch Jr., the president and CEO of both Ferrari of New England and Subaru of New England.
Boch is also an avid musician, philanthropist and graduate of Berklee College of Music, Rose said. The goal of Music Drives Us is the preservation of music education.
A registered nonprofit, Music Drives Us either offers grants to support funding education programs provided by schools, organizations and other music educators, or it purchases new instruments, equipment and sheet music for students and classes.
In Parker Middle School’s case, the instruments were purchased from Falsetti Music, based in Springfield, Massachusetts, which is an official partner of Music Drives Us.
Music Drives Us does have an application and review process that recipients, such as Parker Middle School’s music department, have to go through.
“Many of our kids are reliant upon the instruments provided by the school system. This donation enables more kids to be involved with the program that has been steadily growing. It helps us ensure that the program continues to build over time,” said Parker Middle School Principal Mike Byron.
Rose said, since 2006, Music Drives Us has served hundreds of individuals, organizations, and schools across New England with millions of dollars in either grants or musical purchases.