Every Student Deserves a Chance to Toot Their Own Horn

Like hunger or a lack of reading material, the inability to pay for a musical instrument can be a barrier to learning. In 2007, the Band for All (BFA) program was started in District 196 to support 60 students at Cedar Park Elementary who wanted to participate in band but were unable to purchase instruments. In 2011, the program expanded to serve all 29 schools in District 196.

In the past 11 years, the BFA program has helped nearly 1,700 students participate in band.  Today, 692 students across the district are playing a Band for All instrument. Band for All is made possible with instrument donations from the community, and the district is always in need of more instruments.

“This program has greatly benefitted Apple Valley High School by providing us with instruments for families who couldn’t afford to buy or rent them. Student participation in band has increased due to BFA,” says Corey Desens, band director at Apple Valley High School.

In addition to an instrument to play, each participating student is provided with the supplies needed to maintain that instrument (reeds, oil, grease, etc.). Instrument donations are accepted during school hours at Oak Ridge Elementary in Eagan and Scott Highlands Middle School in Apple Valley.  All donations are processed monthly. If you donate an instrument and would like a letter for tax purposes, include your name and address in each instrument case. The BFA program welcomes donations of the following instruments: flute, clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, oboe, trumpet, french horn, baritone, trombone, tuba, and percussion.

Financial donations also help program coordinators with the necessary refurbishing and repairs for aging instruments. Your tax-deductible donation of $25 restores an instrument for an aspiring student musician. For more information about the Band for All program, please contact Michelle Hoff or Ben Harloff at Bandforall@district196.org