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.
The Genesis of the Music Camp
Covenant Children, in conjunction with pastors in Haiti, sought to help restore hope, joy and happiness to Haitian churches, schools and families. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to bring music back to local communities and restore a sense of joy. With that goal in mind, Instruments of Change® partnered with Covenant Children to help bring the joy that only music can provide.
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
Some History on the Need for Music
The earthquake destroyed more than just buildings. Lives were lost, families broken, basic services like: clean water, food, shelter and medical care were lost to thousands.
Also destroyed were thousands of musical instruments in churches, schools and homes.
Everywhere you look the devastation is apparent.
We all know that clean water, food, shelter and medical care are the BIG FOUR needs in Haiti. But what do you do with thousands of displaced people once the big four are provided? Many organizations are working tirelessly to provide the basics of survival and we applaud their efforts. The next step is to bring hope and joy back to a nation in crisis. Music brings communities together - it restores hope - it brings joy to many. Through the efforts of Covenant Children, we were invited to participate in relief efforts to provide quality of life to a desperate land. To bring more than mere sustenance, by providing musical instruments, instruction and a community concert event to the people of Haiti.
Quisqueya Chapel located in Delmas, Haiti, along with Covenant Children planned a music camp for about 100 children and young people in Haiti. Students would be taught to read music and to play a musical instrument. More than 600 lbs. of Musical instruments were collected for the event and many more are needed. The goal of this event; to help restore hope and help rebuild shattered lives, was realized in July of 2011
Our experience has taught us music can help to uplift communities broken by disaster and poverty. Music Performance and musical instruments are the key to this process. Not merely listening to music but engaging in music performance - gathering as a community - enjoying one of life's simple pleasures can bring people together and restore their sense of community.
The need is incredible - when the buildings came down, the musical instruments were inside.
The team for Music Camp 2011 brought music instructors from
as far away as Alaska and as close as Florida. The camp was organized by Beverly Hoch. Beverly is a Covenant Children Inc. Trustee who, with her husband Mike Steinel, organized successful music initiatives in the Republic of South Africa along with Covenant Children, Inc. CEO Ardith Grandbouche. The plan was designed to maximize the available instruments and match each instructor with their musical passion.
The Leadership Team. Ardith is taking the picture
It was immediately obvious that a music program can be a force for change in this community and, as it expands, the surrounding areas. Our initial goal was to teach 100 children. On the first day of registration, that number was reached and quickly exceeded. On a heartbreaking note, we were forced to turn away a large number of children because we lacked the instruments and instructors to provide for such great need.
Between classes, small groups would gather to practice.
Covenant Children and Instruments of Change® provided the instruments, instruction. The logistics of the project: accommodations, classrooms, transportation and delivery of the instruments, etc. were graciously provided by the Pastor and staff at Quisqueya Chapel. It is only through the generous support from people like you that we were able to accomplish this lofty goal.
The children performed for a packed house!
Please consider becoming an ambassador for this ongoing project in your community. We need help getting the word out and we need connections with artists, agents etc. who have both willingness and ability to perform and bring a message of hope to the people of Haiti.
We are already in the process of building a team for 2012 and we are looking for those with expertise in planning, executing and participating in a multi-day, multifaceted event which will include concerts, music camps, local church worship events and distribution of instruments. We are also seeking church partners with experience in international ministry. People who have a desire to help this mission, and people who are compelled to share the power of music, are welcome to become a part of this vision. Please let us know how you would like to help
Take the next step - click on the Donate Now button below and help support this powerful project.
You can also let us know of your desire to help by clicking on the Contact Us tab at the top of the page and completing the form.
Your financial donation can make a difference in the life of a Haitian child. Through your donation, Instruments of Change® can provide more than just musical instruments; we can provide a sense of fun in their lives today and hope for the future.
Please consider giving - there is more to life than just food and water.
Donate now and become an Instrument of Change.
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Please consider donating today!
You have experience, talent, connections, resources - please think carefully about these needs and how you may be able to help. It will take much more than money to accomplish our goal. We need your knowledge.
If you can help in any of these areas, please click the Contact Us button and complete the form. Someone from Instruments of Change® will contact you.
* Organizing a music festival
* Personal contact with musical artists or acts who may want to help
* Travel with us to teach classes
* Consider taking an instrument to Haiti on your next relief trip
* Let your church know about our project
* Provide a financial donation
Please let us know how you would like to be involved!
Just complete the form on our contact page. Use the Comments Box to tell us how you would like to help.
The Leadership Team. Ardith is taking the picture
Between classes, small groups would gather to practice.
