FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | MERIDIAN, MS| September 6, 2023
Students in the Meridian Public School District’s resurgent middle school band programs recently received some news that was music to their ears.
Both Magnolia Middle School and Northwest Middle School were named recipients of a Save The Music Build Your Core Programs grant aimed at restoring instrumental music in public schools across the United States.
“This is an amazing opportunity for the students at Magnolia and Northwest,” said Dr. Amy Carter, MPSD Superintendent. “We are so appreciative of the Save The Music Foundation and the impact that these grants will have on fostering a love of learning to play music for our students.”
The grants are valued at $144,000 or $72,000 each and will provide the band programs at Magnolia and Northwest with new musical instruments, music stands, method books, and program services. Each school will receive 8 flutes, 11 clarinets, 3 alto saxophones, 6 trumpets, 4 trombones, 1 bell kit, 1 snare drum, 1 bass drum, 1 bass drum stand, 1 bass drum beater, 1 cymbal kit, and 36 music stands. The schools will also receive professional development and other learning resources.
Antonio Altman, the District Arts Coordinator and MHS Director of Bands, talked about the excitement these grants bring to Meridian and the middle schools along with the importance of having quality instruments is to the overall development and sustainability of the entire band program.
“We are excited to have the Save The Music Grant here in Meridian at our middle schools,” said Altman. “Our middle school band students having access to high-quality instruments at a crucial developmental stage is important to the growth of the entire band program.”
Northwest Middle School’s Orlando Armstrong realizes the importance of the grant and the opportunity it provides for students to learn music.
“The Save The Music Grant's impact on our band program is tremendous,” said Armstrong. “Just starting with the point of helping our parents with the financial burden of instrument purchasing is key to our band students having an opportunity to learn music.”
The Save The Music Foundation is a 501(c)(3) music education nonprofit that helps students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music.
For 25 years, Save The Music (STM) has addressed systemic inequities in music education by investing in culturally rich communities across the US. Since its inception, STM has donated $70M worth of instruments and technology to over 2,500 schools – impacting millions of students' lives. You can learn more about Save the Music at savethemusic.org
Randy Ferino Wayne, the Magnolia Middle School Band Director had this to say about the impact the grant will have on the community, schools, and students in the arts.
“Considering some of the circumstances that a lot of our students face, this grant will take some of the stress and financial pressure off of the parents, students, teachers, and administration at both schools,” said Wayne. “This grant will bring both Magnolia Middle School, Northwest Middle School, and the citizens of our community together as a whole for the betterment of our community, schools, and students in the arts!”
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About Meridian Public School District: The Meridian Public School District prepares all students in a parent and community partnership to be literate, self-directed learners with the confidence and character to compete in a complex and ever-changing world. MPSD serves 4,900 students on 11 school campuses. For more information, please visit us on the web at www.mpsdk12.net.
