The Sound of Distant Trumpets

LeadWhat does a trumpet player sound like without a trumpet? Well, all you will hear is a loud, rude fluttering of lips. That's the sound that four students are making about the band program's lack of instruments. Not every student who wants to play in the band can afford to buy or rent an instrument, which means some people have to sit out. And we're not talking about just the four trumpeters without trumpets. We also have two trombonists who have to share an instrument, swapping the mouthpiece and sitting out every other song. Meanwhile, many perfectly usable instruments sit in closets in people's homes, gathering dust. Opinion Statement Parents and community members should donate their unused but usable instruments to the school band program.

Topic SentencesThe biggest reason to donate instruments is that more students want to play in band than can afford to rent or buy instruments. In addition to the students who are currently sharing instruments, Mr. Peterson has a waiting list of students who can't even join band. The problem is that a new trumpet, for example, can cost between $500 and $5,000, and monthly rentals run around $25. That's $300 per year without even owning the instrument. The band program should not be just for kids who are better off than other kids. If the school received playable instruments, Mr. Peterson could clean them up, grease the slides, and do any other minor adjustments to get them into a student's hands.

After all, instruments do no one any good sitting in closets gathering dust. Detail Sentences Mr. Peterson says, "An instrument creates a bond with a player." That's probably why adults haven't parted with their old high school instruments, even though they haven't played them in decades. But those same adults need to realize that their old instruments could bond with a new player, someone who would make not just music but also lasting memories. Imagine what would happen if all those silent instruments could join the band and play again!

Students who join the band not only learn music but also focus, listening, and teamwork. The only way to successfully make music with fifty other students is to concentrate on one's own part while listening to the contributions of others and working together to create something. These are key skills for success in other classes and in the working world. TransitionsIn fact, the National Association for Music Education cites a report that students who have been taught to perform music have higher SAT scores than those who don't: 63 points higher on the verbal component and 44 points higher on math. Also, students involved in music programs are more likely to stay in school than those who are not.

Answer to ObjectionSome people say that we can simply have a fund-raiser to get money for more instruments, but donating used instruments is much better solution. For one thing, a successful fund-raiser could generate $5,000, but that would purchase just five instruments. We need more. In addition, fund-raisers take a lot of time and effort from teachers and students, with the fund-raising company making more than the school. By contrast, an instrument donation requires just one person and a few minutes. It is the quickest, easiest way for an adult former player to welcome a new student to band.

What is sadder than an unplayed instrument? How about a student with no instrument to play? We can solve both problems at once by holding a drive to encourage adults to contribute instruments to the band program. Help a student make music, and clear out your closet at the same time. Call to ActionDonate your old instruments and give them a new life in new hands.