Seattle Public Schools Receive $100,000 Instrument Donation in Support of The District’s Music Program
SEATTLE (PRWEB) April 18, 2019 -- Seattle Public Schools received a significant boost yesterday from Yamaha Corporation of America, which donated more than $100,000 worth of new percussion and wind instruments to the school district’s music program.
The generous gift from the world’s largest musical instrument manufacturer was made in support of the district’s growth of its instrumental music programs. The new instruments will benefit more than 1,300 students who now participate in music programs at Nathan Hale High School, Cleveland High School, Franklin High School, Ingraham High School, Rainier Beach High School, Madison Middle School, Washington Middle School, Whitman Middle School and Mercer International Middle School.
The instruments were presented during a special ceremony held on April 17 at Nathan Hale High School. Josh Prewett, district manager, Yamaha Corporation of America, made the presentation to Katrina Sibicky, band and orchestra director, Nathan Hale High School.
“This donation is greatly appreciated by the Nathan Hale Music Department. These new instruments allow for the students to succeed without having the instrument being an extra challenge,” says Sibicky. “Up until now, we didn’t have all sizes of timpani, but now having the standard set allows for the students to play all of the notes that appear in high school level literature. The percussionists can also now tune the instruments with greater ease and accuracy, which is a joy to see.”
Seattle Public Schools educators strongly value music education and consider it to be an important element of every student’s basic, well-rounded education. It is a vital component of the district’s core curriculum and is held to the same standard as courses such as math and science. As instrumental music programs have flourished in the district, teachers faced the challenge of having to replace older, heavily used and even damaged instruments — percussion and brass especially. This donation gives the district the opportunity to spread the generous gift to nine schools, all with thriving music programs that continue to grow. This allows students not only to play fine, brand new instruments, but also to reach their highest potential.
“Supporting music education has always been at the heart of everything we do at Yamaha. Music programs provide a springboard for academic and personal success, and we are dedicated to providing substantial tools to music teachers so they can continue to support young musicians’ future success in life,” said Lisa Steele-MacDonald, director of marketing, Yamaha Corporation of America. “We understand the struggle to provide brand new instruments to students, as well as the importance of a well-equipped music program. We hope this donation by Yamaha to the district helps in continuing student involvement in music and assists them in reaching their highest potential.”
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About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) is one of the largest subsidiaries of Yamaha Corporation, Japan and offers a full line of award-winning musical instruments, sound reinforcement, commercial installation and home entertainment products to the U.S. market. Products include: Yamaha acoustic, digital and hybrid pianos, portable keyboards, guitars, acoustic and electronic drums, band and orchestral instruments, marching percussion products, synthesizers, professional digital and analog audio equipment, Steinberg recording products and NEXO commercial audio products, as well as AV receivers, amplifiers, MusicCast wireless multiroom audio systems, Blu-ray/CD players, earphones, headphones, home-theater-in-a-box systems, sound bars and its exclusive line of Digital Sound Projectors. YCA markets innovative, finely crafted technology and entertainment products and musical instruments targeted to the hobbyist, education, worship, music, professional audio installation and consumer markets.
Peter Giles, Giles Communications, http://www.giles.com, 914-644-3500 x 700, [email protected]
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