Instrument Lending


“Feeding the Mind and Soul Through the Gift of Music”



The arts are the gold and silver threads that weave communities together. Music helps foster positive attitudes, strength in character and expands the mind and helps develop the building blocks for success in school and life.

Band and orchestra direcotrs do not have enough instruments. No teacher wants to turn away a student who has the desire to learn. They have no choice but to say, “I’m sorry I don’t have an instrument.”

Desert Sounds developed The Jeremy Project to assist underserved children access band and orchestra by providing them with an instrument that will follow them throughout elementary and high school.Our premise is the use of an instrument is not an entitlement but earned through hard work, achieving goals and fulfilling basic requirements. We are helping to instill responsibility with the care of an instrument and commitment through practice and attendance.

Jeremy’s heart and willingness to give inspired Desert Sounds. Our goal is to bring together a diverse community who like Jeremy will give underserved children the opportunity to participate in school band and orchestra and foster a lifelong love for the arts.





Our Inspiration

As a fifteen year old, being a part of the school band was very important to me. I had a friend who also wanted to be in band but was unable to because he no longer had access to a trumpet.[pullshow id="1"] I thought about it, came up with some ideas and then talked with my friend and the band director. There was one small problem. My friend would have to learn to play the contra bass clarinet and could not afford the expensive reeds. To solve the problem, I decided to use the money I earned working in the school cafeteria and buy the reeds myself. Although no one knew I was buying the reeds, both of us learned. [pullthis id="1"]My friend learned music, and I learned I could make a difference.[/pullthis]
Jeremy









Receiving Assistance

The Jeremy Project provides instruments to students who would not otherwise be able to participate in their school’s band or orchestra.

Requirements

What Educators Are Saying

Last school year, a student at Kerr Elementary wanted to play the clarinet. As there were not enough instruments available at the school and his family was unable to rent one, he was not able to play in band. This school year, he again wanted to play the clarinet very much. [pullshow id="3"]With the assistance of Desert Sounds, he was able to receive an instrument. As a beginning 6th grader, he has made incredible progress, catching up to or even surpassing many of his second-year band classmates. He often stuns his peers with how well he can perform his intermediate music – they have even applauded him in class and often say comments like, “Wow, you are GOOD!” His motivation and accomplishments have helped push other students to work harder, making the band even stronger. [pullthis id="3"] Without Desert Sounds, this amazing student would not have had the chance to have these experiences.[/pullthis]
Naomi Wilbur


Desert Sounds is a wonderful resource for my instrumental music program. As a teacher at a Title I school, it is not uncommon (especially in these difficult economic times) for students to have the desire to learn to play an instrument but are without the funds to do so. While I do have some school instruments to lend, I routinely find that I alone cannot meet the demand. Enter Desert Sounds. This free service is allowing my students the opportunity to study music in a way that otherwise would have been unavailable to them. The staff at Desert Sounds have always been prompt in responding to needs and, since we are in the West Valley and they are in the East Valley, have been willing to arrange pickup points close to our school in order for our students and parents to get their instruments without travelling great distances. [pullthis id="2"] That such an organization as Desert Sounds exists at all is amazing to me [/pullthis], but for me and my students we are very glad that it does. Desert Sounds is making a difference. Thank you!
Michael Veech PhD

Instrument Lending

The Jeremy Project provides instruments to students who are enrolled in band or orchestra and demonstrate a financial need. A student and their parent/guardian must meet and agree to these requirements.

Student Requirements

  • Be enrolled in your school band or orchestra
  • Practice 25 minutes a day 5 days a week or as specified by your teacher
  • Attend and participate in all rehearsals, concerts and performances
  • Attend school
  • Do your homework
  • Show good citizenship to your classmates
  • Maintain your instrument according to the Desert Sounds instrument maintenance guide
  • Return you instrument in the same condition it was received
  • Students in grades 7-12 MUST participate in a Desert Sounds recital. 4-6 graders are highly encouraged to participate
  • Grades 9-12 band students MUST be in marching band and a concert/jazz band

Parent/Guardian Requirements

  • Meet Desert Sounds financial standards
  • Encourage and support your student’s interest in learning music
  • Ensure your child practices, attends all rehearsals, concerts and performances on time
  • Ensure your child attends school and does their homework
  • Ensure your child maintains their instrument and returns it in the same condition it was received
  • Ensure your child participates in all required recitals
  • Attend the orientation session with you child

Enrollment Process

  • Ask the band/orchestra director for an application
  • Turn your completed application into your band/orchestra director (they will forward it to our office)
  • If you are accepted, we will let you know the time and date for orientation. Attendance is mandatory.
  • After attending your orientation meeting you will be given the date and time you may pick up your instrument