Local teen gives back to school music programs
IMPERIAL — A 17-year-old Imperial teenager is giving back to his community by collecting new and used orchestra and band instruments then donating them to school music programs throughout the Valley.
Shane Chase has already received 11 instruments by way of donation, and plans to donate nine of them to Wilson Junior High School in El Centro by the start of next school year.
For his project, Musically Green Instrumentally Possible, which he began in August 2018, Chase also accepts music supplies, such as rosin and cork grease, as well as monetary donations to repair any donated instruments.
With all his instruments lined up Friday inside his Imperial home, Chase reflected that he was more than happy with the number of donations he’s received.
“I want to give all these kids the chance to play better instruments and be proud of what they’re playing on,” he said.
An avid cello player for the past nine years, Chase’s impetus to begin Musically Green is based on his experience in playing in local school orchestra programs growing up.
A home school student who currently attends Mountain Valley Academy in Ramona, Chase played with the Sunflower Elementary School, Wilson Junior High and Southwest High orchestra programs.
“I always noticed there that the instruments weren’t the best quality, even though the students really
wanted them to be,” he said. “They really put their heart and soul into it, but sometimes the instrument just couldn’t perform what they were trying to give out.”
A recent experience served as the final nudge for Chase to start Musically Green.
A member of the IV Symphony Orchestra, Chase recalled that, during one of the symphony’s sessions, one of his fellow teachers, Wilson’s orchestra director Marissa Gohl, came in with an instrument — a cello with three large holes in it.
“I just looked at her and went, ‘Rissa, did a group of angry beavers attack your cello on the way by or something?” Chase said. “And she just went, ‘No, I grabbed one from the school,’ and I was like, ‘Wow, I need to do something about that.’”
A member of the Southwest Valley 4-H Club for the past nine years, Chase became more familiar about what the 4-H Emerald Star Program was, and decided to use it as his way to give back to local school music programs.
The Emerald Star program is designed for intermediate and senior 4-H members and provides an opportunity for members to develop projects in their community or in 4-H beyond the club level, according to 4-H’s official website.
While it’s promoted to all 4-H members it in the county, it’s not required, Imperial County’s 4-H Program Coordinator Shanna Abatti said.
Abatti explained that just two to five Emerald Star projects within the county are completed each year.
Chase presented his idea for Musically Green in front of the county’s 4-H board, and was approved.
Although his project was first funded through the help of his parents, he recently earned a small grant.
Typical Emerald projects include one-day fundraising or group projects, which revolve around healthy living. The projects are also created with the idea of passing it on to be continued in future years.
Abatti said Chase’s project is the first in at least 10 years that is fine arts driven and focuses on music.
Emerald projects usually only run from year to year; However, Chase has decided to continue his project until 2020 to collect more instruments.
“I hope for at least the same amount of instruments next year,” he said. “Getting even one instrument next year would make it worth it to have it continue another year.”“
Abatti said she most enjoys that Musically Green displays Chase’s desire to give back to the local music program scene.
“For him to have such a passion and drive to want to give other youth the chance to play an instrument, is very, very inspiring.”