Front row (l-r) Councilmembers Joe McDermott, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Jim Kelly, Ken Noreen and Councilmember Rod Dembowski
Back Row (l-r) Councilmembers Larry Gossett, Claudia Balducci, Dave Upthegrove, Pete von Reichbauer Kathy Lambert and Reagan Dunn.
Members proclaim “Music4Life” Month in King County
Music can be as vital to a child’s education as math, reading and science. The Metropolitan King County Council recognized the importance of music in school by acknowledging the work of Music4Life, a program that provides instruments to low-income students throughout the region, by proclaiming June “Music4Life” Month in King County.
“I am thrilled to recognize the work of Music4Life in providing instruments to children in King County.” said Council Vice Chair Rod Dembowski, the sponsor of the proclamation. “Music helps students thrive in all academic disciplines, and as the parent of two children who play instruments, I know the positive impact music education makes in young students’ lives.”
For some students, the ability to play an instrument is a matter of income. Since 2007, Music4Life has repaired and provided ready-to-play instruments to participating public school districts for use by students of low-income families. Music4Life works in partnership with instrument manufacturers, rental agencies, wholesalers, retailers, and others to provide instruments to school districts.
“I am delighted to join the members of the King County Council in honoring Music4Life’s crucial work to get instruments into the hands of promising student musicians,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.
“Learning to read and play music in school not only has been shown to benefit young people in their other academic work, it gives them the opportunity to work as part of a team and to nurture a lifelong interest in the arts.”
1,800 instruments donated through Music4Life have allowed students in school districts in King and Snohomish Counties to pursue their musical dreams.
“Many people have ‘lovingly used’ musical instruments in their garages or attics that can be repaired,” says David Endicott, President and COO of Music4Life. “We have special relationships with local repair shops who provide discounts to us because we bring volumes of instruments to them. Once a donor realizes that an instrument’s highest and best use is to put it back into play, we get lots of them donated to us. We’re very appreciative.”
For people who have instruments they would like to donate, or want more information on Music4Life, go to their webpage.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the benefits of participating in instrumental music at any age can last a lifetime; and
WHEREAS, research now shows that students who participate in
instrumental music programs tend to do better in math, science, history,
literature, reading,
writing, foreign languages, computer science, and other academic
disciplines; and
WHEREAS, music education is an integral part of a well-rounded
education that prepares students for success in life by teaching
teamwork and discipline; and
WHEREAS, the cost of owning or renting an instrument is a barrier to
participating in instrumental music for students from low-income
families;
and
WHEREAS, many adults have lovingly used musical instruments stored in
their garages or attics that they no longer need; and
WHEREAS, the non-profit organization Music4Life has been repairing and
providing ready-to-play instruments to participating public school
districts for use
by students of low-income families since 2007; and
WHEREAS, Music4Life guarantees that all instruments will be used
exclusively for the benefit of students in the school district in which
the instruments are donated; and
WHEREAS,
Music4Life has provided approximately 1,800 musical instruments to
children in the greater Seattle area, including those attending Edmonds,
Highline, Mukilteo, Seattle, and Shoreline public schools;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council and the King County Executive proclaim June 2016 as
Music4Life Month
in King County and encourage all residents to donate lovingly used musical instruments they may have by going to www.Music4Life.org and to support this home grown organization.
DATED this
first day of June, 2016.
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