Three Knoxville-area middle schools will be playing in harmony, thanks to a generous donation from the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and the CMA Foundation.
Bearden Middle, Gresham Middle, and Vine Middle Magnet have been gifted musical instruments valued at over $180,000, enriching the musical experiences of students and supporting the importance of incorporating music into school curriculums.
Bearden Middle School received instruments including violins, violas, cellos, and double basses, with a total donation value of $26,208.
Orchestra director Rachel Peña expresses her gratitude, stating, “Each instrument is an opportunity for each student to work on their talent and skills. This builds up their self-esteem and what they consider possible in the future.” She continued, “Every instrument we received is a new opportunity for a student to experience how music changes our lives.”
Bearden Middle School’s instrument unveiling on Friday, April 26, with special guest Carly Pearce.
Gresham Middle School’s music program was bolstered by donations totaling $100,358, comprising a diverse array of instruments from flutes and clarinets to brass and percussion.
“I am most excited that now all students will be able to play an instrument just for them! So many of my students were sharing an instrument with another student, and now they get to use one that is all their own,” said GMS band director Gracie Alward. “I love the culture we have established within the band program. Band is a place unlike any other in the school building, and I think they are beginning to find their place here in the band room.”
Gresham Middle School’s instrument unboxing on Tuesday, April 23.
Vine Middle Magnet School, with a donation value of $55,044, will benefit from instruments spanning woodwinds, brass, and percussion, including a concert bass drum and xylophone.
“Vine Middle Magnet School’s band aims to teach students the confidence, discipline, and independence to reach their individual musical potential,” said band director Jessica Huffaker. “The CMA Foundation and Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation has gifted the VMMS band with the needed resources to accommodate increased band enrollment, allowing all interested students the opportunity to pursue their instrumental music education.”
Vine Middle Magnet School’s instrument unboxing on Friday, April 19.
The impact of these donations extends far beyond the classroom. They provide opportunities for more students to participate in ensemble performances and competitions, instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment. They also ensure inclusivity by removing financial barriers that may prevent students from pursuing their musical interests.
The collaboration between The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and the CMA Foundation exemplifies the power of partnerships in supporting arts education. Their commitment to providing resources and instruments to schools across the nation amplifies the vital role of music in the development of students.
As these instruments find their home in the music rooms of Bearden, Gresham, and Vine, they represent not just material possessions, but symbols of growth, opportunity, and the transformative power of music in the lives of students.
With every note played, they remind us of the importance of nurturing the artistic talents of the next generation.