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Henry County Schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson directs the eighth-grade band at Laurel Park Middle School through a song after three instruments were donated to the band in his honor. (Contributed photo by Melany Stowe) |
Monday, December 21, 2009
By ELIZA WINSTON - Bulletin Staff Writer
Many local residents are finding it hard to make charitable donations this Christmas season, but one solution might be lying unused in basements and attics.
As a Christmas gift to Henry County Schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson, school administrators purchased and donated five used instruments to Fieldale-Collinsville and Laurel Park middle schools’ bands to be donated in Jackson’s name.
Two trumpets and a clarinet went to Laurel Park Middle School, and a clarinet and bassoon were given to Fieldale-Collinsville Middle School.
According to Melany Stowe, spokesman for the county schools, Jackson’s present is the gift of giving music to students.
“Through this gift, five Henry County students who would not have otherwise had the opportunity will be able to take an instrument home to practice,” Stowe said. “Hopefully the students will also see that it is sometimes more rewarding to give than to receive.”
On Wednesday, Jackson visited Laurel Park Middle School band director Susan Branham’s class, where the students were just ending practice. Jackson told them that he used to teach band, so it was exciting for him to be back in a music classroom. He also told the class he was there to give them a present.
He presented Branham with two trumpets and a clarinet in cases decorated with large red Christmas bows. Jackson then directed the band for one song.
Branham said she was grateful for the gift, especially because a clarinet player who did not have an instrument joined the band that day, and that student would be able to use the donated clarinet.
After the class was dismissed, Brianna Merriman, an eighth-grader who plays the trumpet, and Andrew Lynch, also an eighth-grader and tenor saxophone player, told Jackson they appreciated the donation.
Branham said there has been an increase in the number of students whose parents cannot afford instruments since Tultex Corp., which employed hundreds of workers, closed 10 years ago. Although a used instrument can be purchased for $200, she said, a new one can cost up to $1,000.
Instruments are available for students who cannot afford them, but many of those instruments are 40 years old, Branham said. She added that sometimes students have to learn an instrument that is their second or third choice because it is the only one available.
Jackson, who has a musical background, was excited to give more students a chance to have their own instruments. He said his music education began when he joined the choral group at his school in the third grade. At that time, he said he just knew he enjoyed music and never thought about it becoming a career.
Since then, he received a bachelor’s degree in music and taught choral music and general music in elementary and middle schools. Jackson said the administrators’’ gift was thoughtful, especially in light of the budget and economy.
He said he hopes to encourage others in the community to donate instruments they no longer use. He said music is important to students’ education because through music, students can better understand foreign languages, math and literature.
“Some see fine arts classes as a frill, but I believe they are really a fill,” Jackson said.
To donate an instrument to the county schools, call Stowe at 634-4766. |
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