PRINCETON, W.Va. -A grant sponsored by the Save The Music Foundation looks to keep the gift of music alive at Glenwood Middle School.
The Save The Music Foundation started back in 2009 with a partnership with the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History.
The grant is going to allow for more musical instruments in their music class for the fall of 2025.
West Virginia House Majority Whip Marty Gearheart was in attendance to celebrate the good news with the students.
He says this is another great investment in art and cultural opportunities for young students here in Mercer County.
He states, “I really look forward to them using music to expand their life and to be able to do all of the things and be successful in life. Arts are a big part of it, and this goes a long way towards moving them in that direction.”
A direction that has already impacted over 130 middle schools in West Virginia.
Music classes across the mountain state continue to grow thanks to the Save The Music Foundation.
Chiho Feindler, the chief program officer, shares some of their own music experience, and why they feel it’s so important to enable opportunities for students to potentially connect with music.
She says, “Personally, for me, I did grow up playing an instrument and that was the reason for me to show up to school and finish the course work, so I can participate in the music making. You know it’s just really for me, finding the passion, the students to find the passion to show up to the school, finding the purpose of sense of longing in the ensemble activities like that. So, it really is a great way to start my day which is 8:00 AM here. So, it’s amazing to see that.”
It’s that passion and curiosity that led eighth grade student, Elijah May, to continue to explore their love for music.
He says, ” Well, what inspired me is I just think it sounds completely awesome, and last year my friend was showing me these videos of tuba and I wanted to be like that. To know that it knows that we have a successful school and that I’m in a very good place and that everybody here is just great.”
Elijah’s enthusiasm highlights the positive impact of music programs that the Save The Music Foundation works toward preserving.
The foundation hopes to expand the grant to all middle schools in West Virginia by the year 2027.
Save The Music has donated over 75-million-dollars’ worth of instruments and technology to over 2,800 schools – impacting millions of students’ lives.
You can learn more on their website savethemusic.org
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