News : Many thanks for donated band instruments; many musicians have been helped

By VSMS Band Director Jodi Bierschenk

To be in band or to not be in band? This is a big question for Vinton-Shellsburg beginning band students. It is a proven fact that learning to play a musical instrument as a child helps develop brain function. To be in the band is an advantage that is available to all students, but is not required to do. And there are obstacles that need to be overcome for a student to be successful.

1) It takes extra time. A student has to fit practice time into their busy schedule.

2) It takes perseverance. Just like learning to read a book, it can take 3-4 years before students are proficient.

3) It is the student’s responsibility to find an instrument (schools do not usually supply band instruments).

It is because of this last obstacle that I am writing this letter. Each year I have several students who would like to be in band, but just can’t afford the instrument. It is so frustrating! But over the last few years, and last year in particular, community members have come to the rescue! Many used band instruments have been donated to our students! A few are in good shape and I have already placed SEVEN instruments among our incoming 6th graders. So I would like to say a very big THANK YOU to those 30 or so community members who took a big step and donated their used instrument to our school!

Most of the instruments I have need some kind of minor repair before a student can use them. Until now I really didn’t know how to get them repaired. Now I have a community member who can help me out! Allison Hicks has a degree in music, has taken repair classes, has the proper tools, and is willing to help me get these instrument repaired. For the cost of the minor repair ($25-$50), any of these instruments can be in the hands of our students. Just for comparison, new instruments run $500-$1500 each.

I would like to say that I would prefer that all students rented/bought an instrument from the music store. These instruments are in excellent shape and will definitely last throughout the student’s high school years. However, using an old instrument can give us time to look for one in excellent shape. Or maybe a student will only play a couple years. If that is the case, I would ask that you consider donating it back to the school for another beginner to give it a try!

Thanks again for donating to our school!