Providing every child access to the life-changing experience of making music. |
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THANK YOU TO ALL who made this year’s instrument drive a resounding success. |
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We gratefully note that more instruments were donated in 2021 than in any of the previous five years! We would like to thank the 776 individuals who generously parted with one or more of their instruments, including Rocky and Dorothy DeNiro of Pueblo, Colorado (pictured here at their home) who gifted us with 100 horns and woodwinds from their private collection.
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I think it’s an excellent way to help children. I think it’s a wonderful experience for kids to have music in their lives. These instruments will make a big difference, especially for those kids who wouldn’t be able to afford them. - Rocky DeNiro
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We’ve all heard of dedicated teachers who purchase school supplies for their classrooms out of their own pockets. Rocky DeNiro did that and more throughout his 57-year teaching career. Early on as one of Pueblo's two traveling music teachers, he began building an incredible inventory of band instruments for the 500 students he taught each week at 10 different schools. Rocky bargained for every brass and reed instrument he could find. He made sure that all who wanted to learn had an instrument to play.
This was a labor of both love and logistics. Every lunch hour he made what his own children dubbed "mouthpiece soup," taking care to sterilize the mouthpieces shared between his morning and afternoon students.
Over the course of his career he taught elementary, middle and high school students in both public and parochial schools. He also helped start Pueblo's Suzuki Method music program. In retirement, he still teaches on a volunteer basis.
Recently, when reminiscing with us about the cooperation and self-esteem students learned in his music classrooms, Rocky referenced a 17th century poem and its universal truth, "music soothes the savage breast."
Rocky’s wife Dorothy told us she welcomed this opportunity to give new life to their old instruments because they are so much more than metal and plastic, they represent a true dedication to music education.
Rocky and Dorothy both underscored the value of the personal connections made through a life of music. And now, their donation to Bringing Music to Life connects their vision and history with our mission and future!
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Stephen Bluebaugh's interest in learning instrument repair when he was 17 led him to CIOMIT to study. In 2019, he became a co-owner of the company with his parents, Tom and Diane Bluebaugh. He is proud of CIOMIT's partnership with BMTL and supports the work we do. Being part of that is cool.
Average cost to repair an
upright bass: $192
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A lot changes for BMTL between the blizzards of the March instrument drive and the blistering heat prior to the beginning of the school year in August. Most importantly, donated instruments in need of TLC must be cleaned, sterilized and repaired to an excellent, playable condition. It is essential to give students their best chance for a successful - and fun - learning experience.
Here is a glimpse behind the scenes at the shop of our longterm repair partner, the Colorado Institute of Musical Instrument Technology. Their huge room filled with racks upon racks of color coded instruments could be part of a modern, impersonal factory. Yet although CIOMIT does operate like a well-oiled machine, the journeymen and master craftsmen at the work benches are meticulously practicing a centuries old craft by hand. They are musicians and luthiers, serving as educators, advocates and craftsmen for music.
We are making preparations to award close to 600 reconditioned instruments to forty-two music programs, twelve of which are first time applicants.
CIOMIT gives BMTL a generous 40% discount on all repairs. Your contribution to the repair fund allows us to give out more instruments and reach more young learners.
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Sam Gilbertson is a new CIOMIT employee, following months of training. He brings his best work to BMTL instruments, knowing they are going to a good home. He would like Quarter Notes readers to know that there is a tremendous amount of work and coordination that goes into repairs for BMTL. Instruments are worked on constantly from March until August when we assign them to a school.
Average cost to repair a
clarinet: $135
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Kelton Brown has been with CIOMIT for two and a half years. He teaches repair and fixes woodwinds. Although every instrument CIOMIT handles receives the same excellent quality of repair, Kelton admits that he puts a little extra shine on instruments going to BMTL, knowing that they are often going to be a Colorado child's first instrument.
Average cost to repair a
saxophone: $180
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Lee Cutchin began teaching himself instrument repair by watching YouTube videos when, as captain of the brass section of his South Carolina high school band, he learned there was no money for repairs. His professional training at CIOMIT began in 2014. Knowing firsthand the obstacles faced by underfunded schools, he finds it gratifying to put instruments into the hands of children.
Average cost to repair a
tuba: $180
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EVERYONE DESERVES A GUARDIAN |
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Every child deserves a chance to play an instrument, and every instrument deserves a good quality case.
Very often the music cases we receive during the instrument drive are in poor shape—worn, cracked, moldy, missing handles, hinges and latches. This is not just a matter of appearance, but of protecting the instruments inside, ensuring that they remain in the best possible condition. The "life expectancy" of an instrument increases dramatically with a good case. And an attractive case also affects the pride students have carrying their instruments to and from school.
We thank our new corporate partner, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, for their annual pledge of $1,500. This commitment from Mark Ruybal, Regional Manager, will make it possible for us to purchase new instrument cases each year to help "insure the life" of dozens of donated instruments.
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AT LAST (with a nod to Etta James) live outdoor music is back!
And Bringing Music to Life was THE FIRST local nonprofit chosen to participate in the
Mile High Music Series:
CONCERTS FOR A CAUSE!
at Mile Hight Station.
CONCERTS FOR A CAUSE support local bands, businesses, and nonprofits. Each week a different organization is selected to receive a portion of ticket sales.
On May 13, the first concert of the season, BMTL had the distinct privilege of being chosen as the beneficiary of this unique community-oriented music series. Thank you Mile High Station!
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CLARINETIST AND SAXOPHONIST ELLINGTON JENKINS, Bringing Music To Life 2011 instrument recipient, and his drummer, Benji Robinson, opened the evening with a set of their favorite tunes including the popular jazz standard "Avalon." Ellington tries to sneak this classic into every performance in honor of his late grandfather, and first clarinet teacher, Bill Jenkins.
Ellington began his music career at age 9. At age 11 he was given a BMTL clarinet. The instrument allowed me to grow my love for music and my social circles in the music world, says Ellington who has travelled to New Orleans, New York, and Switzerland to play with traditional jazz bands.
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Convert canned goods into cornets, and Cheerios into cellos. |
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Did you know that when you register your King Soopers Loyalty Rewards Card (or your dedicated King Soopers credit card) your dollars make a difference?
By identifying Bringing Music to Life as the organization you want to support, a percentage of the money you spend at King Soopers will be awarded to us at no additional cost to you. You don't pay more when you are in the community rewards program, but your dollars do more. Sustenance for your family helps to sustain music education in Colorado!
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Our Organization Number is BF312
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Bringing Music to Life
2390 S Fillmore St
Denver, Colorado 80210
(303) 756-3123
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Steve Blatt, Executive Director . David Necker, Co-Chair . Anne Necker, Co-Chair
Christine Andresen . Rebekah Bonn . Peter Dawes . Michael Frank
Kathy Newman . Jerry Reuschhoff . Lin Williams
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