ORRINGTON — Two young music students in Lee have a chance to excel in their music studies thanks to a gift to the MSAD 30 music department in Lee.
A representative from the nonprofit organization The Gifts of Music, based in Orrington, presented music instructor Ann Forsing with two “like new” clarinets that will be used by fifth-grade students Ethen Allard and Gage Johnson.
Allard and Johnson started music lessons with Forsing at the start of the school year using clarinets that were worn and in poor working condition. Explaining that school and family budgets have been stretched thin in that region, Forsing requested two instruments from The Gifts of Music.
The Gifts of Music is a nonprofit organization that collects used instruments and raises funds to
have those instruments professionally restored to optimal playing condition for “gifting” to music
educators throughout the state on behalf of deserving students. The organization also provides scholarships to students for additional music education opportunities, such as workshops and summer music camp.
“Study after study has proven the value of music education in a young person’s development, both academically and socially, yet budgetary constraints often result in school music programs being significantly under-funded or dropped entirely,” said Susan Patten, The Gift of Music founder. “With support from donors, businesses, and granting foundations we’re trying to keep music education and live performance vibrant in Maine.”
For information about The Gifts of Music go to thegiftsofmusic.org.