Showing posts with label music4life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music4life. Show all posts

Do you care about kids, instrumental music, or education?

Friday, January 6, 2017

The Shoreline Schools Music4Life Booster Club wants YOU if you care about kids, instrumental music or education.

“Interest in any of the three areas qualifies a person for the Booster Club,” says leader Ken Noreen. 
“Last year (2015-16), Music4Life provided 22 musical instruments to Shoreline Schools valued at $20,113. During the first three months, we’ve already provided 16 instruments valued at $9,400, so we’re likely to blow right past last year’s total.

Music4Life provides ready-to-play musical instruments to participating schools for students in need. School districts include Shoreline, Edmonds, Everett, Highline, Mukilteo and Seattle.

“It takes work,” Noreen says. “We have big and small tasks and operate on the principle that ‘many hands make light work.’”

He says this is important because research now shows that kids who participate in instrumental music programs tend to do better in math, science, history, literature, international languages, reading, writing, even in computer science, in addition to what it teaches in terms of teamwork and self-discipline.

The work of the Shoreline Music4Life Booster Club makes it possible for all students to participate, if they wish.

Anyone interested in the booster club may contact info@Music4Life.org.



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June Is “Music4Life Month” in King & Snohomish Counties

Tuesday, June 14, 2016


June is “Music4Life Month” say County Executives Dow Constantine and Dave Sommers, as well as the mayors and city councils of several cities in King and Snohomish Counties.

Music4Life™ is the Seattle-based non-profit that provides musical instruments to participating schools for students in need. The organization acquires “lovingly used” musical instruments from adults who no longer need them, gets them repaired and then provides them to public schools in Edmonds, Highline, Mukilteo, Seattle and Shoreline.

The non-profit program acquires used instruments from adults who understand that their highest and best use is to put them back into play. Music4Life also accepts donations to help pay for instrument repairs.

“Summer is when we have to focus on getting used musical instruments repaired and ready-to-play so that students this fall can start to use them as soon as they are enrolled,” says Music4Life President/COO David Endicot. 
“We’re very grateful to Dow Constantine, Dave Sommers and the mayors and councils of our participating communities for their support in drawing attention to this critical educational need.”

Proclamations declaring county and city support for the Music4Life initiative have been enacted by King County Executive Dow Constantine and Snohomish County Executive Dave Sommers, as well as by Mayors Luci Krakowiak, Burien; Matt Pina, Des Moines; Jonathan Chicquette, Normandy Park; Chris Roberts, Shoreline in King County and by Dave Earling, Edmonds in Snohomish County.

“The reason this is so important is because research shows that students who participate in instrumental music programs tend to do better in math, science, history, literature, computer science, international languages, reading, writing and other academic disciplines,” Endicott says. 
“This is in addition to what they learn in terms of teamwork and self-discipline. All this is true, unless their parents can’t afford to get them a musical instrument in the first place. And in today’s economy, many parents can’t even afford to rent a musical instrument. 
To this extent, Music4Life is just as much an ‘education program’ as it is a ‘music program.’”

One recent national report found that half of all public school students are from income-eligible families that qualify for participation in the Free-and-Reduced-Lunch program. The Puget Sound area is no exception.

“Our hope is that adults who know of Music4Life will donate their musical instruments to us now so we can get them repaired over the summertime,” Endicott says. “An instrument Donor Form must accompany the instrument and is available for downloading on our Website.”



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County Council names June as Music4Life month in King County

Monday, May 23, 2016

Shoreline music teacher Ken Noreen and 4Culture Executive Director Jim Kelly join members of the Metropolitan King County Council after the Council declared June ‘Music4Life Month’ in King County. Music4Life provides instruments to students from low-income families interested in learning music. Photo courtesy King County Council.
Front row (l-r) Councilmembers Joe McDermott, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Jim Kelly, Ken Noreen and Councilmember Rod Dembowski
Back Row (l-r) Councilmembers Larry Gossett, Claudia Balducci, Dave Upthegrove, Pete von Reichbauer Kathy Lambert and Reagan Dunn. 


Members proclaim “Music4Life” Month in King County

Music can be as vital to a child’s education as math, reading and science. The Metropolitan King County Council recognized the importance of music in school by acknowledging the work of Music4Life, a program that provides instruments to low-income students throughout the region, by proclaiming June “Music4Life” Month in King County.

 “I am thrilled to recognize the work of Music4Life in providing instruments to children in King County.” said Council Vice Chair Rod Dembowski, the sponsor of the proclamation. “Music helps students thrive in all academic disciplines, and as the parent of two children who play instruments, I know the positive impact music education makes in young students’ lives.”  

For some students, the ability to play an instrument is a matter of income. Since 2007, Music4Life has repaired and provided ready-to-play instruments to participating public school districts for use by students of low-income families. Music4Life works in partnership with instrument manufacturers, rental agencies, wholesalers, retailers, and others to provide instruments to school districts.

“I am delighted to join the members of the King County Council in honoring Music4Life’s crucial work to get instruments into the hands of promising student musicians,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. 
“Learning to read and play music in school not only has been shown to benefit young people in their other academic work, it gives them the opportunity to work as part of a team and to nurture a lifelong interest in the arts.”

1,800 instruments donated through Music4Life have allowed students in school districts in King and Snohomish Counties to pursue their musical dreams.

“Many people have ‘lovingly used’ musical instruments in their garages or attics that can be repaired,” says David Endicott, President and COO of Music4Life. “We have special relationships with local repair shops who provide discounts to us because we bring volumes of instruments to them. Once a donor realizes that an instrument’s highest and best use is to put it back into play, we get lots of them donated to us.  We’re very appreciative.”

For people who have instruments they would like to donate, or want more information on Music4Life, go to their webpage.



PROCLAMATION

            WHEREAS, the benefits of participating in instrumental music at any age can last a lifetime; and

            WHEREAS, research now shows that students who participate in instrumental music programs tend to do better in math, science, history, literature, reading, writing, foreign languages, computer science, and other academic disciplines; and

            WHEREAS, music education is an integral part of a well-rounded education that prepares students for success in life by teaching teamwork and discipline; and

            WHEREAS, the cost of owning or renting an instrument is a barrier to participating in instrumental music for students from low-income families; and 

            WHEREAS, many adults have lovingly used musical instruments stored in their garages or attics that they no longer need; and

            WHEREAS, the non-profit organization Music4Life has been repairing and providing ready-to-play instruments to participating public school districts for use by students of low-income families since 2007; and
                         
            WHEREAS, Music4Life guarantees that all instruments will be used exclusively for the benefit of students in the school district in which the instruments are donated; and

WHEREAS, Music4Life has provided approximately 1,800 musical instruments to children in the greater Seattle area, including those attending Edmonds, Highline, Mukilteo, Seattle, and Shoreline public schools; 
           
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council and the King County Executive proclaim June 2016 as

Music4Life Month

in King County and encourage all residents to donate lovingly used musical instruments they may have by going to www.Music4Life.org and to support this home grown organization. 


DATED this first day of June, 2016.


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Barnes & Noble Northgate holds benefit event for Music4Life™

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Barnes and Noble Northgate store

Barnes and Noble Northgate has dedicated the weekend of May 20-22, 2016 as a benefit for Music4Life, the Seattle-based program that provides ready-to-play musical instruments to public school students who need them.

Anyone who purchases a book, Nook, cheesecake, or other item online through the Northgate store or in person at the Northgate store during that weekend and uses a special voucher (below) will have up to 20 percent of their purchase -- at no additional cost -- donated to Music4Life.

No voucher? Ask the sales clerk to enter voucher number 11833530 on the sales slip before the sale is rung up.

“We are so excited to be working with Music4Life on this fund raising project,” says Janet Qualiotto of Barnes and Noble Northgate. “Barnes and Noble is dedicated to the communities that we serve. Music4Life's objective matches Barnes and Noble's goals of supporting children, literacy and the arts. The match is perfect. This event allows supporters to reach out to their family and friends. It is easy and fun way to support Music4Life.”

Live student entertainment is being arranged in the Northgate store for most of the weekend.

“We are very appreciative of this help for kids who need it and for the community spirit that Barnes and Noble is displaying,” says Music4Life President/CEO David Endicott. 
“Many students can’t get the educational benefits that come with participation in instrumental music programs. The free-and-reduced-lunch rate in some of our schools reaches as high as 80 percent.” 


Music4Life™ provides musical instruments to participating schools for students in need. The Seattle-based non-profit acquires “lovingly used” musical instruments from adults who no longer need them, gets them repaired and then provides them to participating public school districts for use by students in need. Besides Seattle Public Schools, Music4Life also operates programs supporting Edmonds, Highline, Mukilteo and Shoreline Public Schools. The program acquires used instruments from adults who understand that their highest and best use is to put them back into play. With adequate resources, Music4Life also buys new musical instruments for school districts.

For more information or to donate an instrument to Music4Life, contact DavidEndicott@Live.com , call 206-409-3275 or go to the website. Instrument donation forms are available here, as well as at designated instrument drop-off sites.


Print off the voucher and present it before your purchase is rung up 
or include it in your online order.


Music4Life™ is supported in part by grants from the Hazel Miller Foundation, First Choice Health; 4Culture (the former Seattle-King County Arts Commission); the Shoreline-based Knossos Foundation; various local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs; the Highline Schools Foundation; Nina McLemore LLC; as well as by the law firm of Garvey Schubert Barer; Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Rafael Carrabba Violins, the Newspapers in Education Program of The Seattle Times, Cascade Symphony Orchestra, Randy Oxford Entertainment, the Edmonds Center for the Arts, 88.5 KPLU Radio, Kennelly Keys Music stores, Music and Arts stores, Hammond Ashley Violins in Issaquah, the Guitar Center stores, Barnes and Noble and others.



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Music4Life & Oxford Entertainment Team Up for Kids

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Randy Oxford partnering with Music4Life™

Oxford Entertainment is teaming up with Seattle-based Music4Life™ to provide ready-to-play musical instruments to students in need. The announcement comes from Randy Oxford, a noted blues instrumentalist and member of the Washington State Blues Hall of Fame, and David Endicott, President/CEO of Music4Life.

"I am a full time professional musician, band leader, concert promoter, producer and booking agent,” Oxford says. “I travel quite a bit for my music career and have made contacts in the business throughout the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Central America and beyond.
"Music4Life is such a great organization for helping students. Finding donated instruments for kids is a natural thing for me to do because I have so many contacts in the music business." 

In addition to having been inducted into the Washington state Blues Society hall of fame, since the year 2000 Oxford has been the recipient of multiple music awards from the Washington Blues Society, including the ‘Life Time Achievement,’ ‘Keeping the Blues Alive,’ ‘Entertainer of the Year,’ ‘Instrumentalist of the Year,’ ‘Best Band’ and ‘Best Northwest Recording’ awards.

David Endicott, Executive Director, said “Lovingly used musical instruments that adults have in their garages or attics or financial resources to buy new instruments as schools tell us of their needs. Randy Oxford can help us fill both needs. We are most grateful for his support.”

Music4Life™ provides musical instruments to participating schools for students in need. The Seattle-based non-profit acquires “lovingly used” musical instruments from adults who no longer need them, gets them repaired and then provides them to participating public school districts for use by students who need them. Besides Seattle Public Schools, Music4Life also operates programs supporting Edmonds, Highline, Mukilteo and Shoreline Public Schools.

The program acquires used instruments from adults who understand that their highest and best use is to put them back into play. With adequate financial resources, Music4Life also buys new musical instruments for school districts.



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Music 4 Life year-end report for Shoreline Schools

Monday, December 7, 2015


By David Endicott, President / CEO of Music4Life

During the 2014-15 school year, the Shoreline Schools Music4Life™ program delivered 16 ready-to-play musical instruments to Shoreline Public Schools for use by children in need. The total estimated retail value (before taxes) of these instruments was $9,695 or nearly $606 per instrument.

Some of these instruments came to Music4Life as “undesignated” by the donor for any one of our five participating school districts: Edmonds, Highline, Mukilteo, Seattle and Shoreline.

In other words, the donor told us to use them “wherever there is the greatest need,” and then were reassigned to Shoreline Public Schools. We used resources available from the Shoreline Schools Music4Life fund to repair all instruments at local shops that provide discounts to us, including the Music and Arts stores, Kennelly Keys Music, Hammond Ashley Violins in Issaquah and the Guitar Center in Seattle.

Also included among these musical instruments were some very special instruments, including a Bach Stradivarius trombone, now being played by a student at Shorecrest High School, and two cellos.

What this means is that the education of 16 students last year benefited from participation in instrumental music in Shoreline Public Schools. Yet, as you well know, the arts often are the first to go when school districts face declining budgets and levy failures.

Why is this important? Participation in instrumental music is not cake frosting or a marginally-important elective subject. Research now shows that students who participate in instrumental music activities tend to do better in math, science, history, literature, international languages, reading, writing, even in computer science and other academic disciplines, in addition to what they learn in terms of teamwork and self-discipline.

So Music4Life is just as much an “education program” as it is an “instrumental music program.” That is UNLESS students’ families cannot afford to get them a musical instrument. And in the current economy, many cannot even afford to rent an instrument.

We will continue to appeal to adults in the community to donate the used instruments stored in their garages and attics, and to help provide the financial resources to repair them. A copy of the Donor Form we use for this purpose is here. Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for Music4Life.

In addition, we have provided six ready-to-play musical instruments valued at $13,450 in September, October and November 2015. So we are off to a pretty fast start this school year, as well.


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Rare violin donated to Music4Life

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Norma Sleeper violin
Donated to Music4Life
A rare violin appraised at $11,500 has been given to Music4Life™, the Seattle-based non-profit that provides musical instruments to participating schools for students in need. The donor is a Bainbridge Island pilot. The instrument has been placed with Edmonds Public Schools.

United Airlines pilot Bill Sleeper, not an instrumentalist himself, inherited the John Boder copy of an Italian-made 1908 Stephano Scarampella 4/4 (full size) violin from the estate of his late mother, Norma Sleeper.

“Mom played this violin in the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, where she was ‘first chair,’ and in various other ensembles for many years. She just treasured that violin.”

Bill took the instrument to internationally-known Queen Anne luthier (string instrument restorer) Rafael Carrabba to get it fixed. 

“When it was done, Bill asked me who he could donate it to,” Carrabba says. “I explained what Music4Life does. He immediately said “That’s it! That’s where she would want it to go.’”

Music4Life acquires “lovingly used” musical instruments from adults who no longer need them, gets them repaired and then provides them to participating public school districts for use by students in need. Music4Life operates programs supporting Seattle, Edmonds, Highline, Mukilteo and Shoreline Public Schools. The program acquires used instruments from adults who understand that their highest and best use is to put them back into play. With adequate resources, Music4Life also buys new musical instruments for school districts.

“Most of the instruments that Music4Life gets are not nearly this expensive,” says David Endicott, President/CEO. “We are grateful for all of them because most can be repaired and start some student on the road to participation in instrumental music that lasts a lifetime.

The “Norma Sleeper Violin” is now in use by a talented upperclassman in Edmonds Public Schools. Music4Life recognizes that, given the state of the national economy, there still are a lot of students in need who would not be able to participate unless provided a playable musical instrument.

Music4Life™ is supported in part by grants from organizations such as First Choice Health; 4Culture (the former Seattle-King County Arts Commission); the Knossos Foundation; various local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs; Cascade Symphony Orchestra, the Edmonds Center for the Arts, and Kennelly Keys Music stores.



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June Is “Music4Life Month” in King & Snohomish Counties

Thursday, June 4, 2015

From left, King County Exec Dow Constantine,
4Culture Executive Director Jim Kelly,
Music4Life™ Shoreline music educator Ken Noreen,
County Council Rep Rod Dembowski.
Not pictured,  Music4Life™ President David Endicott

June is “Music4Life Month” say County Executives Dow Constantine and John Lovick, as well as the mayors and city councils of several cities in King and Snohomish Counties.

Music4Life™ is the Seattle-based nonprofit that acquires “lovingly used” musical instruments from adults no longer need them, gets them repaired and then provides them to participating public school districts for use by elementary-aged students of low income families. Besides Seattle Public Schools, Music4Life also operates programs supporting Edmonds, Highline, Mukilteo and Shoreline Public Schools.

The program acquires used instruments from adults who understand that their highest and best use is to put them back into play. With adequate resources, Music4Life also buys new musical instruments for school districts.

“Summer is when we have to focus on getting used musical instruments repaired and ready-to-play so that students this fall can start to use them as soon as they are enrolled,” says Betty Woods, former President/CEO of Premera Blue Cross and current Governing Board Chair of Music4Life™
“We're very grateful to Dow Constantine, John Lovick and the mayors of our participating communities for their support in drawing attention to this critical educational need.” 

Proclamations declaring county and city support for the Music4Life initiative have been enacted by Mayors Luci Krakowiak, Burien; Dave Kaplan, Des Moines; Mary Jane Goss, Lake Forest Park; Susan West, Normandy Park; Shari Winstead, Shoreline in King County and by Dave Earling, Edmonds; and Jennifer Gregorson, Mukilteo in Snohomish County. Many members of the communities’ city councils also support the initiative.

“The reason this is so important is because research shows that students who participate in instrumental music programs tend to do better in math, science, history, literature, computer science, international languages, reading, writing and other academic disciplines,” Woods says. 
“This is in addition to what they learn in terms of teamwork and discipline. All this is true, unless their parents can't afford to get them a musical instrument in the first place. And in today’s economy, many parents can't afford to rent a musical instrument. To this extent, Music4Life is just as much an ‘education program’ as it is a ‘music program.’”

The King County Council with Jim Kelly and Ken Noreen
Councilmember Rod Dembowski was the sponsor


One recent national report found that half of all public school students are from income-eligible families that qualify for participation in the Free-and-Reduced-Lunch program. The Puget Sound area is no exception.

“Our hope is that adults who know of Music4Life will donate their musical instruments to us now so we can get them repaired over the summertime,” Woods says. “An instrument Donor Form must accompany the instrument and is available for downloading on our website.” (or here)

Music4Life enjoys the support of notable music advocates and other community leaders. Gerard Schwarz, world-renowned conductor laureate of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, has endorsed the program, saying, 

“This wonderful program begins with children in elementary school at a time when, if they're interested and talented in any way, they have the greatest chance of success. Many people tell me of the impact that direct knowledge of instrumental music has had on their lives. We intend to give this advantage to all our children.”

Music4Life™ is supported in part by grants from the Hazel Miller Foundation, First Choice Health; 4Culture (the former Seattle-King County Arts Commission); the Knossos Foundation; various local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs; the Highline Schools Foundation; Nina McLemore LLC; as well as by the law firm of Garvey Schubert Barer; Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Cascade Symphony Orchestra, the Edmonds Center for the Arts, Kennelly Keys Music stores, Music and Arts stores, Hammond Ashley Violins in Issaquah, the Guitar Center stores and others.

For more information or to donate an instrument to Music4Life, contact DavidEndicott@Live.com , call (206) 409-3275 or go to the website. Instrument donation forms are available online, as well as at designated instrument drop-off sites.



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Donated trumpet is used as a yearly prize for high school musicians

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Chelsea Tripp, DVM awards the Pelland trumpet
to Kaelyn Stanton for a second year

Coveted trumpet awarded to Lynnwood 11th Grader through Music4Life program

The 2014 Pelland Trumpet was awarded to Kaelyn Stanton, a junior at Lynnwood High School in the Edmonds School District. She is the daughter of Jill and Eric Stanton of Lynnwood. The award recognizes exceptional talent in a young trumpet player and was presented October 3 at the Alderwood-Terrace Rotary Club.

The Pelland Trumpet is a performance-level a Bach Stradivarius instrument donated to the Music4Life™ program by Micaela Pelland of Lake Forest Park.

The recipient is selected annually by secondary school music teachers in Edmonds Public Schools on the basis of talent and long-term interest in studying music. This is the second year that Stanton has received the award. She is a member of in the Lynnwood High School Band and participates in both the top Honor's-level wind ensemble and top jazz ensemble there.

She will have use of the Pelland Trumpet for the 2014-15 school year. It will be re-acquired by the Music4Life organization next spring for any repairs and other maintenance that are needed over the summer. Music teachers in Edmonds Schools will select the following year’s recipient next fall. Stanton will be eligible to receive it again at that time, as long as she is enrolled in Edmonds Public Schools.


Music4Life acquires musical instruments, gets them repaired if needed, and provides them free of charge to participating public school districts for use by elementary-aged students of low income families. The Pelland Trumpet is awarded to a deserving high school student regardless of family income. The Edmonds Music4Life program was created by the school board in 2013. Dr. Chelsea Tripp, a veterinarian oncologist and Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Alderwood-Terrace, serves as president of the group’s organizing committee. 

Besides Edmonds Schools, Music4Life also operates programs supporting Highline, Mukilteo, Seattle and Shoreline Public Schools. The program acquires used instruments from the garages or attics of adults who understand that their highest and best use is to put them back into play. With adequate resources, Music4Life can also buy new musical instruments for school districts.

Music4Life is a stand-alone organization, created by Rotary groups of Puget Sound.



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Urgent appeal for used musical instruments

Friday, September 5, 2014


Shoreline Schools Music4Life™ is issuing an urgent public appeal for the donation of clarinets and other “lovingly used” musical instruments by adults who no longer need them.

“School is just starting and many more young people than expected are telling us they would like to participate in the school district’s instrumental music programs,” says Ken Noreen, President of Shoreline Schools Music4Life. “Our greatest need is for clarinets, but others are, as well, and all musical instruments are welcome.”

Shoreline Schools Music4Life is the local organization that acquires used musical instruments, gets them repaired if needed, and provides them free of charge to Shoreline Public Schools for use by students of low income families. The program was created two years ago by the school board and is sponsored in part by Shoreline Breakfast Rotary and the Rotary Club of Shoreline. 

“You don’t have to be a Rotarian to support Music4Life,” says David Endicott, the organization’s CEO. “All that’s necessary is that you understand the unique value that instrumental music plays in the life and education of a child.”

Research now shows that young people who participate in instrumental music programs tend to do better in math, science, history, literature, languages (both English and foreign), even in computer science and other desirable academic disciplines, Endicott says. “And that’s in addition to what it teaches them in terms of discipline and teamwork.”

Besides the Shoreline Schools program, Music4Life also operates programs supporting Edmonds, Everett, Highline, Mukilteo and Seattle Public Schools. The initiative acquires used instruments from the garages or attics of adults who understand that their highest and best use is to put them back into play. With adequate resources, Music4Life can also buy new musical instruments for school districts. Endicott emphasizes that resources developed in any community are used exclusively for the benefit of the students in that community, according to donor wishes.

Currently, at least 30 percent of all fifth and sixth grade students in Shoreline Public Schools who want to participate in instrumental music programs are from families that are income-eligible.

Endicott says it is important to fill out a Donor Form that is available on the Music4Life Website and put it in the case with the donated instrument. “The completed Donor Form allows us to track the instrument through any repairs that may be needed,” he says.

Shoreline Music4Life is supported in-part by grants from 4Culture, First Choice Health, Garvey Schubert Barer, local Rotary clubs and other local community leaders.


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Shoreline City Council expresses support for Music4Life program

Sunday, November 10, 2013

By David Endicott, President / CEO
The Music4Life™ Program

Following is a copy of a letter we have just received from the Shoreline City Council regarding our Shoreline Schools Music4Life™ program, which seeks to provide public school students with musical instruments. 

Our Governing Board is grateful for the unanimous support of Mayor Keith McGlashan, Deputy Mayor Chris Eggen and all five other Members of the Shoreline City Council. The united opinion of the Council in this letter speaks for itself. But we do believe that this worthy work, coming at a time of significant regional and national economic challenge, needs to be done so all our children can benefit from a good basic education that includes participation in instrumental music activities, if they wish and regardless of current family financial situation.

We are particularly grateful to Shoreline City Councilmember Shari Winstead, a donor who organized this expression of the Council’s opinion. Any Shoreline resident who wishes can join Shari and the rest of us in making this initiative into a reality.

October 28, 2013 
To the Citizens of Shoreline, 
Thanks to the efforts of Superintendent Sue Walker, we have become aware of the Shoreline Schools Music4Life™ initiative and what it is doing to assure a broad, fair and basic education to all our children, regardless of any family’s current economic condition. 
Research now shows that students who study instrumental music tend to do better in math, science, history, literature, languages (both foreign and English), even in computer science and other desirable academic disciplines.  This is in addition to the discipline and teamwork learned through participation in instrumental music programs. 
We’ve even heard that students with dyslexia (estimated as high as ten percent of any given population) can perform better because of instrumental music. 
Shoreline Music4Life acquires “lovingly used” musical instruments from adults who no longer need them, gets them fully restored and ready-to-play and then provides them free-of-charge to Shoreline Public Schools for use by students of low income families.  Given adequate resources, Shoreline Music4Life can even purchase new musical instruments for use by low income kids. 
Given the state of the economy and to the extent that low income students can’t participate because their families can’t even afford to rent a musical instrument, Shoreline Music4Life becomes just as much a worthy “education program” as it is a music program. 
Based on the recommendation of Superintendent Walker and the entire Shoreline School Board, we endorse the efforts of the Shoreline Music4Life program and encourage other local community leaders concerned about education for all our kids to learn more about it. If you have a lovingly used musical instrument that’s just gathering dust in your garage or attic, donate it to Shoreline Music4Life. Tell your friends, family, neighbors or co-workers about it. There are other ways to support Music4Life, as well. 
This truly is a program worthy of the support of us all. 
Sincerely 
Keith A McGlashan, Mayor
Chris Eggen, Deputy Mayor 
Doris McConnell, Councilmember 
Will Hall, Councilmember  
Jesse Salomon, Councilmember
Chris Roberts, Councilmember
Shari Winstead, Councilmember
Updated 11-12-13 10:24pm

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Retired Premera CEO joins Music4Life board

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Betty Woods joins the Board
of Music4Life

Betty Woods, the former President/CEO of Premera Blue Cross, has joined the corporate governing board of Music4Life™, the non-profit organization that acquires musical instruments for use by students from low income families in the Seattle, Highline and Shoreline school systems.

“Betty also is Chair of the Board of Trustees of Seattle University,” says David Endicott, President of Music4Life, “so we feel especially fortunate to have her join our efforts for the education of young musicians in local public schools.”

When Woods retired in 2000 from Premera Blue Cross, it had become under her leadership a $1.9 billion health care company serving more than a million people in Washington, Oregon and Alaska.  It was formed by the merger of Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska (Blue Cross), Medical Service Corporation of eastern Washington (Blue Shield) and LifeWise of Oregon (a health and life insurance company).

“We particularly value her as a strategist,” Endicott says of Woods.  “In this economy, low income families are everywhere. The goal of Music4Life is to help these families get over the very first barrier they encounter, the acquisition of the musical instrument itself.  Many families can’t even afford to rent one.” If the candidates for our help are everywhere, that’s where we want to go, he says.

Research now shows that kids who study instrumental music do better in math, science, history, literature, languages (both foreign languages and English) and in other scholastic disciplines. Kids who come from families that can’t even afford to rent a musical instrument are in danger of not getting a full, basic education. “So, in a very real sense, Music4Life is more than just a ‘music program.’ It’s an ‘education program,’” Endicott says.

Music4Life acquires used musical instruments from adults who no longer use them, gets them fully repaired and donates them free-of-charge for use primarily by students from low income families.   The Shoreline program is supported by the Rotary Club of Shoreline and Shoreline Breakfast Rotary.  Music4Life operates programs in the Seattle, Highline and Shoreline school districts.

Music4Life is a community service activity that is Rotary-inspired, but you don’t have to be a member of a Rotary club to support it, Endicott says. “We’re very glad to have the support of anyone who understands the immense, life-long  value of instrumental music in a child’s life.”

For more information or to donate an instrument to Music4Life, contact David Endicott or call 206-409-3275 or go to the website. Instrument donation forms are available online, as well as at other designated instrument drop-off locations.


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World-class musicians to appear in Shoreline at benefit for Music4Life

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Three world-class musicians will perform in Shoreline on Friday evening, March 22nd. Korean-American pianist Jessica Choe will be joined by German violinist Cordula Merks and Turkish cellist Efe Baltacigil. The three will perform beginning at 7:30pm at the Richmond Beach Congregational Church, located at 1512 NW 195th St in Shoreline. Tickets are $15 at the door and will benefit the Shoreline Schools Music4Life™ program.

“This will be a rare opportunity to hear these three fine musicians,” says Shoreline resident and concert organizer Lee Craig.  “Their performance will feature works by Franck, Debussy and Kreisler.”

Jessica Choe
RBCC
Jessica Choe is a graduate of the Julliard School and Peabody Conservatory and has performed at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Fondation Bemberg in Toulouse, France, I Tatti in Florence, Italy and other prominent recital halls.  She is a company pianist with the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Cordula Merks
Cordula Merks holds degrees from the Amsterdam Conservatory and Northern Illinois University and has held concertmaster positions with the Essen Philharmonic, the Bochum Symphony and the Bergische Symphony in Germany. She joined the first violin section of the Seattle Symphony in May of 2011.
Efe Baltacigil

Efe Baltacigil was born in Istanbul and received his Bachelor’s degree from Mimar Sinan University Conservatory from there in 1998 and an Artist Diploma from The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia in 2002.  Baltacıgil performed with Pinchas Zukerman, Midori and Yo-Yo Ma at Carnegie Hall for Isaac Stern’s memorial, and participated in Mr. Ma’s Silk Road Project.  He joined the Seattle Symphony in 2011–2012 season as Principal Cello.

“This is a concert for both adults and children,” Craig says.  “Any adults who happen to have musical instruments they’re no longer using can bring them to donate to the Shoreline Schools Music4Life program. We’re off to a great start in acquiring musical instruments that can be used by students of low income families.”

The Shoreline Schools program acquires used musical instruments from adults who no longer use them, gets them fully repaired and donates them free of charge to Shoreline Schools for use primarily by students from low income families. The Shoreline program is supported by the Rotary Club of Shoreline and Shoreline Breakfast Rotary. Music4Life also operates other programs for Seattle and Highline Public Schools.

Music4Life is a community service activity that is Rotary-inspired, but you don’t have to be a member of a Rotary club to support it, Craig says.  “We’re very glad to have the support of anyone who understands the immense value of instrumental music in a child’s life.”

Used musical instruments can be dropped-off at any Kennelly Keys Music store or at any of several conveniently located sites throughout the Puget Sound area.   Donations that help take care of musical supplies and repairs can be made via PayPal or by visiting the website.


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Shoreline Schools Music4Life™ Progress Report

Friday, February 22, 2013

The Rotary Club of Shoreline learned on Tuesday that musical instruments for the Shoreline Schools Music4Life™ program are beginning to pour in and that community events are being planned to support it.

David Endicott, who helps run the Music4Life program for Shoreline Schools, told Shoreline Rotarians that 15 fully repaired musical instruments have been delivered to Shoreline Schools and several more are close to delivery. He said more than two dozen other instruments may be assigned to Shoreline if community resources can be identified to get them all repaired.

Asked why such a program is needed, Endicott said “It’s because research now shows that kids who study instrumental music do better in math, science, history, literature, languages (both foreign languages and English) and in other scholastic disciplines. Kids who come from families that can’t even afford to rent a musical instrument are in danger of not getting a full, basic education. So, in a very real sense, Shoreline Schools Music4Life is more than just a ‘music program.’ It’s an ‘education program.’” 

The program acquires used musical instruments from adults who no longer use them, gets them fully repaired and donates them free of charge to Shoreline Schools for use primarily by students from low income families. The Shoreline program is supported by the Rotary Club of Shoreline and Shoreline Breakfast Rotary. Music4Life also operates other programs for Seattle and Highline Public Schools.

Used musical instruments can be dropped-off at any Kennelly Keys Music store or at any of several conveniently located sites throughout the Puget Sound area. Donations that help take care of musical supplies and repairs can be made via PayPal or by visiting the website.


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Recital raises funds for violins for elementary students

Monday, July 9, 2012

Jane Halver, Marjorie Ando, and Ed Sterner of the Lake Forest Park Rotary gave a recital "Tea by 2 + 1"last Sunday, July 1, 2012, at the home of the Halvers in Lake Forest Park.


Jane and Marj played a program of two-piano pieces, using music composed by Maurice Ravel, Cornelius Gurlitt, Edwin Schultz, and Cecile Chaminade.  Ed, accompanied by Jane, played Haydn's Third Violin Sonata.

Donations were accepted and the money was given to the Lake Forest Park Rotary Club Foundation to be used for the Music4Life program.  The program provides money for violins being used by fifth and six graders at Lake Forest Park Elementary School.  It is also the title of District 5030 Rotary's program serving other schools in the Seattle area.



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Donate your "lovingly used" musical instruments to LFP Rotary at the Sunday Farmers Market

Friday, July 6, 2012


Donate that "lovingly used" instrument, violin, clarinet, trombone, or other musical instrument in your attic or garage that isn't being used any longer.

Shoreline Schools Music4Life is a Rotary inspired program that enables low income students in the 5th and 6th grades to play an instrument they would not otherwise be able to.

To children learning to play a musical instrument, participation in a music program is a meaningful activity - not only is it fun but statistics show it helps build relationships that can last a lifetime as well as improving academic skills.

We thank you in advance for your thoughtful participation.

The Lake Forest Park Farmers' Market is located on the lower level of LFP Mall at 17171 Bothell Way NE, every Sunday during the summer from 11am to 4pm.



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Sergei Tschernisch named to Youth Peace Program

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Music4Life
Seattle's Sergei Tschernisch (pronounced CHAIR-nish), former President of Cornish College of the Arts, has been named to the Advisory Board of the Music4Life Peace Initiative. The initiative is an annual Seattle-based program to foster international peace through youth music activities.

“We are thrilled to have Sergei's participation on our Advisory Board because of his extensive background in the arts and his strong commitment as an arts activist," says David Endicott, who chairs the activity. “Sergei's involvement in the arts began early in his life as an actor and director in theatre. He has recently returned to the theatre, this time in the position as Director of Advancement at ACT Theatre.”

The Music4Life Peace Initiative is a Rotary-inspired annual event that brings three or four young musicians from each of two traditionally antagonistic cultures to Seattle. The youngsters participate in a summer music camp program, learn that they can work together cooperatively through the inter-national language of music and then take those lessons home with them.

Conductor-Laureate Gerard Schwarz and composer Marvin Hamlisch of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of the Music4Life Peace Initiative. Others currently serving on the Advisory Board include Colleen Armstrong, retired Chief of staff of Seattle Opera; Narayan Baltzo, a life-affirming songwriter and musician; Admiral Bill Center, USN retired and a past president of the Seattle Downtown Rotary Club; Endicott; Dr. Charles Evans, Captain US Public Health Service (retired) and a Magnolia Rotarian; Lisa Fox, an employment program manager and past president of University District Rotary; Yeva Ghazaryan, a music educator and University District Rotarian; and Spencer Lehmann, a retired long-term care insurance executive.

The Music4Life Peace Initiative is working with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras to place the student-musicians at SYSO’s summertime youth music camp. Called Marrowstone-in-the-City, it is comprised of a two-week, half-day program for young musicians located in Seattle. “We work with young musicians whose attitudes and prejudices are not yet fully ingrained in them,” Endicott says.

The initiative is one activity of Music4Life , a four-year-old program to acquire musical instruments for low income young musicians in public schools. The program began working with Seattle Public Schools and has been expanded to serve young musicians in the Highline School System and in Shoreline Schools. Music4Life received the “Friend of Music” award by the Washington Music Educators Association in February at its biennial statewide conference in Yakima.
Although Music4Life is a Rotary-inspired program, Endicott is quick to point out that it is not necessary to be a member of a Rotary club to support it. “All that is necessary is that a person understands the unique value that participation in instrumental music has in a young person’s total education.”


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