Our latest adventure!

This spring saw the beginning of a new adventure for Instruments of Change® as we partner with the Children's Board of Hillsborough County and The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay.

As part of the Tampa 21st Century Community Learning Centers project, Instruments of Change® is bringing piano lessons to students attending certain Title 1 schools in Hillsborough County, FL

This summer we provided on-site music instruction in the form of piano lessons. In all, 72 students were taught the basics of piano and music theory. The goal of this project is to improve the lives of the children through music education. In the process of learning a musical instrument, the children are mentored in essential life-skills including: hard work, personal accomplishment and improved self-esteem. In addition, studies show that students who learn to play a musical instrument do better in school, score higher on math and language skills testing, are more likely to graduate high school and are less likely to be involved in drug and alcohol abuse.
We will begin new classes in September of 2011 with the program scheduled to continue through July 2012. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this a reality.

At Instruments of Change® we believe you can impact the lives of children in a positive way.

Many people come to us and say: "I don't know how to play a musical instrument so how can I help? There are many ways you can help: Donate a musical instrument; Sponsor a project; Donate financially; Help promote Instruments of Change to local businesses and to community leaders.

To view a list of our current needs, click the button!

The Clair Mel Elementary School project is an ongoing performance-band program made possible by a grant from The Crossing Church.

The 2011-2012 program is set to begin in early September 2011. Last year, the number of students has nearly doubled and as we look forward to this year we expect even more students in the program.

Our band program provides instruments and instruction to the 5th grade class at Clair Mel Elementary School and includes musical instruments, instructional materials, a band director and spring concert for the children.

It's an exciting time at Clair Mel with the students playing:

                          * Flutes
                          * Clairnets
                          * Trumptes





School budgets are being cut on a regular basis and music education is one of the first programs on the chopping block.   With grades falling and drop-out rates increasing, music education is more important than ever.   Over several decades, studies have shown that students who learn to play a musical instrument have higher graduation rates, better grades, higher self-esteem and a host of other positive benefits.   Our goal for the Clair Mel Elementary School program is to help these students prepare for middle and high school and to increase their potential for success.

Stay tuned for updates on the Clair Mel Elementary School program.   We are expecting great things from our students!

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  What is Instruments of Change?
  Instruments of Change is a 501(c)3 charity whose primary mission is to:  Profoundly impact the lives of disadvantaged children through the gifts of musical instrument donation, instruction and performance.   We accomplish this mission by seeking out new and gently used musical instruments that are not being played and place them with children whose parents do not have the means to purchase an instrument of their own.

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    Why musical instruments?
    

    Studies show that children who learn to play a musical instrument are far more likely to graduate high school and attend college, tend to score higher in academic pursuits and are less prone to drug and alcohol abuse. Children who learn to play an instrument show an increase in self-esteem and greater confidence in their abilities.

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    What about instruction for the children?
    

    Instruments of Change provides instruction for those children receiving instruments. Instruments of Change actively seeks out senior citizens and other volunteers with experience in musical training to provide lessons for these children.

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    How can you help?
    

    First, by donating the musical instrument that is sitting idle in your home. In today's economic times it can be difficult to give financially to a worthy cause. By donating your instrument you are making a difference in a child's life by giving something you already have.
    

    Second, Instruments of Change needs your talent. If you have the ability to play three chords you can begin teaching a child to play. Instruments of Change will give you the tools you need to hold each class along the way.
    

    Third, Instruments of Change needs volunteers to spread the word. Please consider sharing the vision of Instruments of Change with your family, friends, and neighbors.

Instruments of Change® in partnership with Covenant Children brings hope to a desperate land by providing musical instruments and instruction to the children of Haiti. Music Changes Lives and we want to bring that gift to as many children as possible.

Here's a quick look at the Haiti Music Camp 2011!

You can find the full length video here.
(about 4 minutes long)

Music Camp 2011 Highlights

This year's music camp was an amazing success! For six days (July 25 - July 30, 2011) we were honored to be able to bring the gift of musical instruments and instruction to about 120 children. The music classes included:

                  * Piano

                  * Guitar

                  * Saxophone

                  * Clarinet

                  * Trumpet

                  * Flute

                  * Recorder

                  * Voice

Every child was given a heavy duty, blue nylon tote bag. Each bag contained Recorder of their own; custom designed music books to 'jump-start' their learning process; pencils; sharpener; keyboard learning tool; cleaning cloth and much more!

Classes were scheduled in such a way that all of the children attended a Recorder Class, a Voice Class and a class in one of the other instruments. The Recorder and Voice classes taught the basics of music in a very simple and understandable way. This paved the way for the students to learn the other instruments at a faster pace.

Click here to find out more about our passion for Haiti.

Piano donations make a unique impact on the lives of children. Through the generosity of our donors, we have been able to provide piano's to several facilities. Here is one example: GATES is a program that helps girls who have reached the age where they cannot remain in the foster care system. They are taught life-skills and given counseling to help them adjust to life on their own.

Girls Advancing To Empowerment & Self Sufficiency (GATES)
Mission statement: To provide an empowering life experience in a stable, safe and secure living environment for young ladies preparing for adulthood. Goal:

To assist young ladies ages 16-21 to make a successful transition from out-of-home care placement to self-sufficiency.

The 'Music Monday' program was a huge success.   For seven weeks, children in grades K-5 were introduced to the wonders of music. Instruments of Change brought musical instruments, crafts, games and more to nearly 50 children in this Music Monday program.   The initial class focused on Meter and Tempo to give the children a basis for everything else taught in the class.   The children learned the concepts of slow (Allegro), medium (Moderato) and slow (Adagio) music.   They identified each type through a series of recordings and interactive learning.

In each successive class, the children were introduced to a new musical concept or instrument.   What a joy it was to see and hear the children making sounds on electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitars, violins, drums, and all kinds of percussion.

The staff at the facility were impressed that the children were actually allowed to touch and play the instruments.

At the conclusion of Music Monday, the staff asked us to return.   We will launch a new program in early 2010 to include formal instruction on a variety of instruments.

Check back for updates to the new program!