Through intentional recruitment and collaboration with the vocal music teacher, admin, and counselors, Park Middle School has seen huge growth in its band program during the past three school years! While this is great news, we are currently needing to borrow a large amount of instruments from other schools to meet the needs of our students. Our goal is to give as many students the opportunity to learn an instrument as possible by keeping instrument rentals easily accessible and affordable. Having instruments that are in good playing condition is imperative to the success of our students. Providing students with high quality instruments also helps build a culture of respect, confidence, and ownership in instrument care.

While Park Middle School is lucky to have many clarinets in our inventory, we are currently borrowing ten clarinets from other schools after borrowing seven in the 2025-2026 school year. The amount requested will be used to purchase 10 clarinets to add to Park’s inventory in addition to covering the cost of repairs to instruments currently in our inventory. We are hoping to raise $4,500 plus cost reimbursement for these instruments. 

Music plays a vital role in cultures worldwide; shaping cultural identity, preserving traditions, and facilitating communication and understanding across borders. It serves as a medium for expressing emotions, celebrating events, and transmitting knowledge and values across generations. There is much to be learned by students in the way this music is approached and practiced. It mirrors how many others around the world use music and provides contrast to the way western music is approached in typical school orchestra, band, and choir programs.
Using this non-traditional ensemble to create and perform music, students are guided by a teacher to learn the role of each instrument. Through guided facilitation of listening and responding, students create music in an exploratory way with both non-pitched & pentatonic-pitched instruments. Since the ability to read music is not a requirement, this ensemble provides opportunities to students who have not had opportunities in music and extends the learning of those who have by encouraging the true freedom of improvisation in a safe space.
This ensemble extends learning beyond the World Drumming Curriculum offered by Lincoln Public Schools. This fund will be granted to support the LPS West African Music Ensemble as designated by the fund administrator.

Although many programs across the country use American versions of African instruments, we are fortunate that most of the instruments in our collection were handmade in Ghana. They are beautiful and well made but occasionally need to be repaired or replaced. And there are still some instruments that are on our wish list to acquire! Your donation would allow us to update these as needed so that we can continue to practice and share this music in our community.

Music plays a vital role in cultures worldwide; shaping cultural identity, preserving traditions, and facilitating communication and understanding across borders. It serves as a medium for expressing emotions, celebrating events, and transmitting knowledge and values across generations. There is much to be learned by students in the way this music is approached and practiced. It mirrors how many others around the world use music and provides contrast to the way western music is approached in typical school orchestra, band, and choir programs.
Using this non-traditional ensemble to create and perform music, students are guided by a teacher to learn the role of each instrument. Through guided facilitation of listening and responding, students create music in an exploratory way with both non-pitched & pentatonic-pitched instruments. Since the ability to read music is not a requirement, this ensemble provides opportunities to students who have not had opportunities in music and extends the learning of those who have by encouraging the true freedom of improvisation in a safe space.
This ensemble extends learning beyond the World Drumming Curriculum offered by Lincoln Public Schools. This fund will be granted to support the LPS West African Music Ensemble as designated by the fund administrator.

Your donation would help to purchase dashikis for our ensemble to wear during performances. Dashikis are African tunics worn globally by both men and women as casual fashion, a symbol of solidarity across the African diaspora, and a staple for cultural events. This garment is a uniform for our group and a way to celebrate this music and culture that we're so fond of. Additionally, we would like to purchase Kente stoles (woven by artisans in Africa) to recognize students that have dedicated significant time and energy to learning about this music and culture and sharing it in our community.