Touching Lives

Giving and giving back... stories from people across the country touched by music.

 

Words from a Grateful Parent

"Because of your foundation the lives of many of our students have been positively changed forever. I mean that in no small way. Your grant has allowed many, many children at N.C.C.S. to access musical instruments and develop their talents who otherwise couldn't be involved in music at school or at home. I personally know numerous students who have had their lives changed by participation in the music program. Quite honestly, if it hadn't been for music, I don't know how my son would have made it through the challenges of being a very bright, socially geeky and yet sensitive elementary student. As he thrived because of music, and I watched many of his friends do so also, I began to realize the power of participation in music in children's lives. It challenges their thinking, creativity, social timing and responsiveness, and gives them confidence by having a real place in their world.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for how you have changed the lives of so many children, for how you have directly positively improved their concepts of themselves as human beings in this often very rugged world. May the force be with you as you promote music creating joy in other's lives."

Kenneth Mutch, parent, North Cow Creek School, Palo Cedro, CA

 

...and a Donor

"Thank you for your letter. I picked your charity because you are doing
something that touches my heart in a very personal way. I was a band
member in school, both marching and concert. I played tuba/sousaphone, and
you know as well as I do that a public school family probably doesn't have the
means to buy those particular instruments. It is because of people such as
yourselves that my life was enriched by music during my developmental
years, and it honors me to be able to help give the same gift to a child
from the next generation."

Jason M. Tyma, SPC(P), USA

 

 

Alexis Gabler, MHOF Donor

"My 6-year-old daughter, Alexis, saved $53 of her allowance to give to The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation. She loves playing the piano and wanted to help other kids get musical instruments. We hope to make many more donations in the future."

Mindy Gabler, New York, NY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheryl, Music Student at Gateway Elementary

"Dear Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation,

Thank you so much for allowing my school to use your instruments. I have always wanted to play a clarinet.

I love playing it because it makes this amazing sound… like a horn on a ship! It gives me this wonderful feeling…

I love to play it in band because I get to play with other clarinetists and other players in the band… It’s enchanting!"

Cheryl, Conneaut, OH

 

Campbell Hall School, Donors

"Campbell Hall is a K–12 coeducational independent Episcopal day school in North Hollywood. Instrumental music of all kinds is alive and well on this campus of 1090 students. The youngest students can begin studying string instruments in the first grade and older elementary students participate in orchestra and 6th grade handbells; the secondary program includes orchestra, chamber music, jazz, rock, and world music.

During the annual holiday Outreach Gift Fair, Campbell Hall parents and students were moved to share their joy in music through the wonderful opportunity offered by Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. The Campbell Hall community was especially touched by the idea of helping to restore music to schools recovering from Hurricane Katrina, and the resulting donation of over $1000 was made with love and the hope that the joy of music would continue to spread, one school at a time."

Kathryn Allison, Campbell Hall School

 

Katrina Part II, February 12, 2008

MHOF Executive Director Felice Mancini and Programs Director Tricia Steel made a trip to New Orleans for a very special surprise.

"The last time I was flying back from New Orleans I had a sense of sadness – disappointment in the condition of what I witnessed post-Katrina. This flight is different. Yes, still the pang of sadness when flying over neighborhoods with trailer after trailer parked in the yards of Katrina-stricken homes, but this time I’m leaving New Orleans with true happiness for everything that happened this morning in that little school building on St. Phillips Street in the middle of the French Quarter named KIPP McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts.

We touched lives today – not just one, but several lives and lives of those both young and old. The surprise of donated instruments to the kids was received with jaws that dropped to the floor and little fingers pointing to the instruments on stage. The kids were excited and I have a feeling the music teacher, Kelvin Harrison, is going to have a challenge incorporating all of the new students that want to participate in his music program.

Speaking of the teacher – we had a surprise for him as well. We surprised him with the news that he has been selected to receive our Mr. Holland’s Opus Award, a gift of $10,000 that will be presented to him on-stage at Carnegie Hall on April 4th. When Felice made the announcement, the cafeteria roared with applause and every kid in the room stood up on their feet. They were proud of him. What an awesome feeling, to be able to thank this teacher in front of his peers, principal, students and family. Mr. Harrison has spent countless hours motivating and truly teaching these kids in its purest form. He beams with pride of their accomplishments. To see the reverse happen, to witness his kids jumping on their own feet beaming with pride for their music teacher was one of the most special things I have witnessed.

Yes, this trip feels much different than last time. Today gave past due credit to a remarkable teacher, it set an example to the kids of the great things they can do in life and maybe most importantly, it lifted this community. When these kids and this teacher return to their post-Katrina habitat, whatever that may be for each of them, they will share today’s memories around the dinner table. Maybe they will talk about how special a teacher is, how they can be a part of the band, how they got their picture taken or spoke to a reporter. I’m pretty sure of one thing, tonight’s conversation will be uplifting and the story will sing from table to table…maybe one of the best gifts we could have given in our efforts to bring the music back to New Orleans." 

Tricia

 

Bay High School “Tiger Pride” Band

"So many people have left and can not come back, to their slabs, due to home-owner’s insurance not paying off. Our community still does not have a grocery store. Thank goodness for Wal-Mart!”
Catchie Crider, Band Director, Bay St. Louis, MS

For two years after Hurricane Katrina, Ms. Crider and her dance instructor were the only directors for the band. MHOF donated thousands of dollars worth of instruments so that more students could participate and now Ms. Crider has a staff of 5. In 2007, the Bay High “Tiger Pride” Band made All-Superiors two weekends in a row. MHOF is proud to be a part of bringing back the music program at Bay High School in the aftermath of Katrina.

 

 

Christopher Castro, Michael Kamen Solo Award Recipient

"We wish to thank you for generously giving our son Christopher Castro The Michael Kamen Solo Award. He is truly enjoying his new instrument and his music teacher states he is thriving with the new sounds of music he is creating.

As you may know Christopher is a senior. He has applied to the following conservatories for the fall of 2008: The Curtis Institute of Music, The Julliard School, The Manhattan School of Music, The Mannes Institute of Music, The University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and SUNY Purchase. He is also applying to “from the top” which is an opportunity to perform on the live classical radio show, which offers opportunities to students interested in the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship.

We must add that without your help Christopher would not be able to pursue any of these interests."

Julia Castro, Brooklyn, NY

 

Chris Neiburger, Instrument Donor

"I can't tell you how happy I am to have found you! I've wanted to find a good home for this violin for some time now, but nothing felt quite right until I found you on the internet.

It feels strange to call this instrument a 'violin'. To my late husband, it's owner, it was a 'fiddle'. Carl was a journalist by profession, but his great passion (other than me) was Appalachian folk music.

He wasn't a great musician, but he was the definition of the word amateur...one who loves the music. He played with joy and heart. There wasn't a tune he wouldn't try, a stage he wouldn't brave, or a group he wouldn't play with. He was a member of many fiddle associations and a sponsor and champion of musicians everywhere.

This is an old instrument, not shiny and attractive, but it has a good bright voice that I remember well. I hope you can bring it back to life, but if not, maybe you can piece it out for parts or, as a last resort, give it a decent burial.

I enclose a small check to support your efforts. I wish it could be more...for all the bad things that humans do, music is our redemption and musicians represent the best of us.

Good luck and good fortune, and thank you again for giving me much more than I'm giving you."

Chris Neiburger, San Luis Obispo, CA

 

 

Student from Nathaniel Bowditch with new concert tuba.

Fidelity Investments on a Mission

Employees at the local Fidelity Investments branch in Salem, MA surprised two school music programs in their community with new instruments. "What a fabulous opportunity we had over the past few days to witness first hand the excitement and fervor that the instrument donation to the Salem Middle Schools created! Thank you so much for your expert guidance in helping us find programs to which we could contribute," said Joanne Sheehan, Director of Community Relations for Fidelity. Collins Middle School and Nathaniel Bowditch Middle School received $25,000 worth of instruments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is left of a St. Bernard, LA Elementary school two years after Hurricane Katrina.

Katrina Update, September 26th, 2007

MHOF Programs Director Tricia Steel recently made a trip to the New Orleans area to visit a handful of schools that MHOF has donated instruments to in order to get them back on their feet after Katrina. She describes her experience here.

"I just got back from an exhausting but thorough and very productive tour of St. Bernard Parish and New Orleans. I can't even begin to attempt to describe what I saw today. What these people have and are still going through is unimaginable. There are no reports on tv, no articles that can describe it. On the other hand, the schools that are up and running are overflowing with spirit and hope. After driving past one suburb after another that was abandoned and destroyed with everyone in the area still living in trailers, we would pull into a school and witness an entirely different scenario. The kids were smiling, joking with one another...they were able to simply be kids. We were flooded with appreciation from the district, the principals, the music teachers and the students. When we visited the students in the music rooms you could tell they were happy to be there. It felt good to know these kids are somehow escaping from reality if even for a brief part of the day by being in music class, and that we are at least partially responsible for providing that to them.

St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, LA with instruments donated by MHOF.

One of the schools I visited was Nicholas Trist Middle School in St. Bernard, LA. I was greeted by the principal in a beautifully renovated building. Everything was new. The principal proceeded to show us pictures of the school after Katrina…a gym with a wooden floor that rolled up and turned black with mold. Water marks high above student paintings on the wall. Hallways covered in black, more mold. It was hard to believe these were the same hallways that are now sparkling and covered with brand new lockers and a new auditorium that is top of the line.

The principal kept saying their school is much better than it was before Katrina. As we neared the music room, she turned to thank us. She had tears in her eyes. It wasn’t showing us the pictures of devastation, telling us the shirt she had on was the same one she evacuated in or showing us the only two decorations that survived from her old office of 12 years that provoked her tears, it was the thank you to us for bringing their music program back to life. This wouldn’t be the first time that people I met held it together when telling their Katrina story, only to break down at the site of kids playing our instruments, and thanking us. It happened time and time again. What brings them to tears is a sign that somebody cares.

The requests we receive won’t be the same – I will picture that little school building in need of instruments but most of all, I will picture what a donation will do for the kids, their families, and these communities. I will remember that these instruments bring life back to these kids and provide an outlet to forget about the grim reality they are faced with outside of school. It seems like such a small part to play after knowing all that needs to be done to get these people back on their feet, but nonetheless, it makes a difference for these kids…letting them know we believe in a better life for them, giving them a tool to heal and simply letting them know we care."

Tricia

 

 

Dustin Barrera, Michael Kamen Solo Award Recipient

“I’m a 17 year old Hispanic kid who lives in Downtown Los Angeles. Being the first person in my family to have an interest for music, I’m proud to say that music has been an integral part of my life.

As I go on with my music career, I hope that it can open the door for me to attend a great college and enhance my education. By obtaining a saxophone from your foundation, I hope to not only teach inner-city kids, but be able to share my experiences with them.

There are no words that express my gratitude and appreciation for awarding me with a brand new professional alto saxophone. As I go on with my musical career, I will never forget the blessing that this foundation has given me and every time I play my new saxophone, the importance of each note that I play, will represent the importance that you guys have played in my life. Thank you for helping disadvantaged kids like me continue their path to success.”

Dustin Barrera, Los Angeles, CA

 

 

Beverly and Ryan Ruppert, MHOF Instrument Donors

"Please accept these instruments, one alto saxophone and one clarinet, as a donation to your wonderful foundation. My wife and I were the original owners back when each of our parents first purchased them. We both remember them making the sacrifice for us to have our very own instrument and pursue one of the greatest gifts in life, music. The enlightenment, friendships, and opportunities that music gave us should be offered to every child or teen growing up. Even though our music careers may have come to a close, we are forever changed with the appreciation and open ears that music has given us. That is why although we each have many fond memories with these instruments; we realize it is not fair to hold onto them only for sentimental reasons. They now belong in the hands of the next generation of musicians, who can follow the path of music and see what doors it may open for them.

Thank you for what you do, your Foundation is a symbol of the goodness in life."

Beverly and Ryan Ruppert, Aliso Viejo, CA

 

Rebuilding Katrina

"The faculty and students at Abney Elementary School in Slidell, Louisiana thank you for your support of our school.

Since our school’s district is on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, all of the homes in our district were either destroyed or severely flooded by the hurricane. Our school also received about three feet of water throughout the school. We lost many of our school supplies, and the families lost almost all of their possessions.

We reopened on Oct. 3rd, 2006 with 267 students. As of 2007, our student count is over 550. (We had 989 before the hurricane!) The students continue to return as the families get a FEMA trailer or have their homes repaired enough so that they can live in them.

The kindness that has been shown to us has been a boost to the spirit of our faculty and students. Your assistance helps us return to the important task of educating our students."

Jane Freeman, Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morgan High School, McConnelsville, OH, Melody Program Recipient

"Last year your foundation awarded a Mr. Holland’s Opus Grant to Morgan High School in the Morgan Local School District. Our proposal pointed out that our school is in the Appalachian region of southeast Ohio and has an unemployment rate 4 times the state average. Purchasing instruments and equipping a band has been a difficult financial struggle for our community.

Our band membership in 2003 had dropped to 13 members. Our band marched without uniforms because uniforms from previous years were worn out. Through a strong rebuilding program by our band director, Mr. Friend, and our band boosters, the band membership had grown to 38 by 2005; but still no uniforms. Our boosters tackled this problem when in 2006 they committed to purchase new uniforms for $12,000 and by last year had raised the first $5,800. But the boosters were unable to tackle another problem; our aged and broken drums, some over 20 years old. That is when we turned to The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and you came through for us by funding a new drum line.

Since the uniforms and drums were not acquired until last spring, the full effect of our flashy appearing band with new uniforms and drums will not be evident to the public until this fall football season. We are confident this will create the excitement needed to see our band grow to the 100 member unit our school had in the 1960s.

We made our community aware of the generosity of The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation by including an article with pictures in our bi-monthly publication, the "Morgan Reader", which is mailed to every household in our county.

Thanks again for helping to revive our band!"

Howard Troutner, Director of School Improvement, Morgan Local Schools

 

 

Terry Castleman, MHOF Donor of Bar Mitzvah Gifts

"I love music and have been lucky enough to have several guitars, as well as lessons. When it came time for my bar mitzvah and to follow the Jewish custom of giving part of my gifts to charity, my mother and I researched various charities. We learned that the twin brother of a dear family friend has been a volunteer for Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation so we went to the website and read about it. My mom wanted to look at the financials to make sure that our gift would mostly go to services rather than administration, and she was really impressed with the efficiency of the group.

I never saw the movie "Mr. Holland's Opus", but I liked the idea of a group giving other kids the access to music I've enjoyed."

Terry Castleman, CA

 

 

 

 

Sharrell Donatien, Music Student at Stonehurst Hills Elementary

"My name is Sharrell Donatien. I am 10 years old. I play the saxophone at Stonehurst Hills Elementary School. Music is definitely a large part of my life. Something fun, but something I am very serious about. Being part of the school music program has given me a beginning of opportunities to become a pro music teacher and a pro saxophone player one day. I think of these things everyday because of my music teacher Mr. Schoener, and The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation.

I am very fortunate to be playing one of many saxophones donated by The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation. I think they are doing a marvelous job by helping less fortunate kids. All of their instruments sound great and play well. I love playing music."

Sharrell Donatien, Upper Darby, PA.