Hattie
asked, “Can I hug my violin?” Kendrick exclaimed, “I am playing higher notes
with my new trumpet!” John said, “I
can’t let go of it” about his new violin. Such are the responses of students in
southwest Louisiana upon receiving refurbished musical instruments from
MusicMakers2U (MM2U). Their “new” instruments were provided through the
generosity of donors who no longer have a use for them.
The MM2U Foundation
was established in August 2013 as a non-profit organization created to provide
students with the gift of music. The premise behind MM2U is that many school students
have a desire to play a musical instrument but no means to obtain one. At the
same time, many instruments have been silenced as they sit on closet shelves or
in attics collecting dust. By pairing donated instruments with students
desiring to play them, MM2U restores sound to the instrument and a voice to the
student.
MM2U is
made aware of students desiring to play through their educational instructors who
are integral players in the program’s success. Once MM2U accepts an instrument,
it is professionally cleaned, refurbished and repaired before being assigned to
a student. Since MM2U’s short inception, 30 instruments have been donated and
10 pairings completed – all prior to publicly announcing MM2U’s formation.
Dr.
Jeffrey J. Lemke, coordinator of instrumental music education at McNeese State
University, states, “By helping improve academic achievement, build
self-esteem, teach critical social skills, and engender creativity and
innovation, MM2U helps to ignite the spark of creativity that lies within all
children and inspires a love of learning.”
An added
benefit for students participating in an MM2U is the parental involvement that
comes with the pairing. Students accepting an MM2U instrument also agree to
accept the responsibility of taking care of their instrument. The ‘cost” for
the student in accepting the gift is the understanding that they now have an
obligation to care for and practice on the instrument, to participate in school
activities and to have the maturity necessary to return the instrument if their
musical interest ever wanes.
For MM2U
to grow contributions are being requested for instrument donations. Financial
support is also needed to clean and refurbish the instruments. For further
information, contact Eva LeBlanc, MM2U President, by
calling 337-244-9314, by emailing musicmakers2U@gmail.com or by writing MM2U, P.O. Box 7964, Lake
Charles, LA 70606.
Check out
MM2U’s Facebook page to see posting of pairing photos.
