Riverside High Schoolreceived $38,500 worth of new musical instruments from Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, thanks to fan fundraising prompted by the Jacksonville-based Tedeschi Trucks Band.
The fundraising campaign was part of The Kofi Day of Service, an annual nationwide initiative that honors the legacy of Grammy Award-winning musician Kofi Burbridge, who died in 2019. Now in its sixth year, the day of service "brings music fans and fellow musicians together to serve and give back to their communities," according to the foundation.
Burbridge was a founding member of Tedeschi Trucks, which "put out a call-to-action" asking fans to donate to the foundation. The national nonprofit organization is dedicated to supporting music education and the band's
goal was to boost Riverside High's music program, according to the foundation.
"Kofi meant so much to all of us, both as a musician and as a friend," Susan Tedeschi of Tedeschi Trucks Band said. "He believed deeply in the power of music to bring people together, so putting instruments into the hands of young musicians is a beautiful way to honor him. And we’re very lucky to have such generous fans who helped contribute to make this happen."
Derek Trucks said, "When you’re young, being able to play music can make you think differently, it can be life changing. Knowing these instruments will help students in our hometown discover their own connection to music is exactly the kind of tribute that reflects who Kofi was and what he cared about."
Riverside Band Director Issac Green said the new instruments include six clarinets, six flutes, four tumpets, two French horns, two euphoniums, one alto saxophone and one suspended cymbal.
“Putting an instrument in a student’s hands can open a door they never knew existed," he said. "These new instruments will give more of our students the chance to discover their talents, build confidence and experience the pride that comes from making music. The skills and sense of accomplishment they will develop can shape who they become and stay with them for the rest of their lives."
The 30-year-old foundation was founded by Grammy-winning composer Michael Kamen, who composed the music for the movie the 1995 motion picture “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” About 43,000 instruments valued at nearly $40 million have been donated to more than 2,000 schools reaching about half million music students nationwide, according to the foundation.
"Access to musical instruments can make an enormous difference in a student’s life and every child deserves the opportunity to experience the power of music, regardless of their school’s resources or their family's financial circumstances," President and CEO Tricia Williams. "We are so grateful to Tedeschi Trucks Band for rallying their fans."
For more information, go to mhopus.org.
Beth Reese Cravey has been a reporter for The Florida Times-Union for 45 years, currently specializing in nonprofits and health. She can be reached at bcravey@jacksonville.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Tedeschi Trucks Band fans fund musical instruments for local school
