Roosevelt Elementary School District

School Music Programs March Forward with Help

from the Phoenix Fire Department and Ear Candy

What comes to mind when you see emergency trucks racing down the road with flashing lights and blaring sirens?  Usually, when a fireman shows up it means somebody is in trouble. Either a home or business is on fire, or a person is seriously ill or injured.

However, it turns out that firemen help rescue lots of people and things in jeopardy.  Throughout the month of March the Phoenix Fire Department is helping to save instrumental music programs in the Roosevelt schools.  They are partnering with Ear Candy to collect used instruments for the Roosevelt schools music programs.

Because of the current budget crisis music programs normally get cut first by most other school Districts.  Fortunately, Roosevelt has very strong choral and instrumental music programs in the schools.  With the help of organizations such as Ear Candy and the Phoenix Fire Department, the District continues to offer these diverse performing arts experiences for our children.

Ear Candy is a Phoenix-based non-profit organization devoted to providing children access to music education.  To date, they have helped thousands of students by supporting in-school music programs through instrument donations, creating after school programs with community partners, and offering unique Beyond-the-Classroom opportunities (such as concerts and workshops with world renowned artists).

The Phoenix Fire Department wants to be engaged in the community.  So recently Ear Candy and the Roosevelt School District launched their instrument drive with a kick-off event at Phoenix Fire Station #4.  The Valley View Elementary School marching band performed with 55 students.  Band director Eddie Gaona said, “this a tremendous opportunity for the community to support music in our schools.”

Frank Solomon, Deputy Assistant Chief of the Phoenix Fire Department, noted that “all 55 fire stations across the City of Phoenix will collect instruments for Roosevelt.”

Nate Anderson (Founder, President, and CEO of Ear Candy) was “excited to help continue Roosevelt’s vibrant music programs.”

Ms. Betty Ware (Clerk of  the Roosevelt’s Governing Board of Education) and Dr. Jacqueline Jackson (Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning) both thanked Ear Candy and the Phoenix Fire Department for their support of music in our schools.

To learn more about the instrument drive for Roosevelt, including locations and what to donate, please visit   www.EarCandyCharity.ORG for more information.