HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Huntsville Music Office is partnering with Huntsville City Schools, the Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation and the Maitland Arts Initiative for a school instrument drive.
Music education is a valuable part of any child’s education. The school instrument drive hopes to build upon each child’s musical ambitions by making sure they have the instruments necessary to do so.
The following instruments are being requested to supplement growing school arts programs:
- Cellos
- Clarinets
- Cymbals
- Drums (snare, bass)
- Flutes
- Saxophones
- Trombones
- Trumpets
- Tubas
- Violins and violas
The drive is also encouraging the donation of new reeds and mouthpieces.
Drop-off locations and times are as follows:
The Fret Shop - (256) 430-4729
309 Jordan Ln NW, Huntsville, AL 35805
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Maitland Conservatory - (256) 715-1170
5045 Memorial Pkwy NW Suite F, Huntsville, AL 35810
Monday-Thursday, 3-6 p.m.
The Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation (MDMEF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the integration of music with learning by bringing musicians into the classroom.
In the early 2000s, Federal pressure from No Child Left Behind legislation led urban school districts to focus more heavily on math and reading instruction, to the detriment of arts classes.
MDMEF works with educators and musicians to develop lesson plans that effectively pair music presentations with academic standards. In addition to the education component, MDMEF also organizes special events where accomplished local musicians perform for the students.
The MDMEF board and volunteers are dedicated to inspiring our local youth through music education, which has a proven relationship to academic achievement. We continuously strive to develop opportunities for students to interact with professional musicians, and to experience the joy of music.
The Foundation works with local musicians, educators and music teachers to support and promote music education in North Alabama. The Board operates with the support, direction and encouragement of internationally known blues musician, Microwave Dave Gallaher. As Dave likes to say, “Blues is America’s first and still best self-help program.”
The Mission of The Maitland Conservatory is to provide students with skills that will promote teamwork, leadership, motivation, and pride while preparing them for careers in the non-traditional Arts. We provide an educational environment consistent with evolving technologies and the global marketplace.
The Maitland Conservatory believes in the idea of nurture. Along with nurturing students’ talents or desires, an infusion of positivity; as it relates to attitude and environment, is also a part of the teaching process. Does this mean that we are lecturing students on having a positive attitude or outlook? No, rather we create a positive environment for the student to learn and grow while nurturing their talent. As the word “infusion” suggests, the positivity we inject or introduce into the student’s life should also become an extract from the students themselves. This infusion process keeps the circle of positivity going.