Gifts restart music programs at two Ridley schools
RIDLEYTOWNSHIP» The students at both the Woodlyn and Eddystone elementary schools will soon be “makin’ music” again, thanks to a generous grant from the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and Urban Outfitters.
Representatives of VH1 and Urban Outfitters were at the Woodlyn School Tuesday morning to unveil a huge table full of brand new musical instruments that will restart the music program in these two schools. The 36 instruments included alto saxophones, clarinets, trumpets, f lutes, trombones and drums as well as other equipment necessary for a music program. The Ridley High School Marching Band played a few selections that gave the younger students a taste of what is to come if they decide they, too, would like to learn to play a musical instrument.
“We think music education is so important,” VH1’s Chiho Feindler told the students seated before her in the school’s multi-purpose room.
Ridley School District Superintendent Lee Ann Wentzel put the two grants at about $70,000. Dana Pinketti, director of staff and program development for the district, successfully pursued the grants.
Wentzel explained that the music program at both Woodlyn and Eddystone re- ally began to fall off, starting in about 2008. She said participants in the district’s various music programs rent the instruments from the district, although many students provide their own instruments.
“I want you to understand how important music is,” Wentzel told the children assembled before her, predicting that some day one of them may turn out to be a professional musician who got his or her start because of their school’s music program.
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation was founded about 20 years ago and is dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America’s public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education. The foundation has donated more than $53 million worth of new musical instruments to over 2,000 public schools in 275 school districts around the country.
Urban Outfitters operates over 200 stores in the United States, Canada and Europe. Urban Outfitters Community Cares brings employees and customers together for positive action through volunteer work.
“We are so excited that all our students will have the opportunity to play the instrument they want,” said Eddystone Principal Jeff D’Orazio.
Wo o d ly n Principal Brenda Sweeney echoed her colleague’s sentiments. “We are so thankful for this generous opportunity for our schools,” she said.
“There are so many ben- efits to music education. We look forward to encouraging our students and supporting their creative talents with the help from VH1 and Urban Outfitters.”