Students of the Marrero Middle School band performing “When the Saints Go Marching In” with members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band at the school on Friday, September 30, 2022
The Guitar Center Music Foundation (GCMF), a nonprofit organization focused on granting instruments to music education and music therapy organizations, was a key figure in a recent program to get a particular school music program back on its feet after a devastating natural disaster event. Marrero Middle School, in Jefferson Parish in New Orleans, saw severe damage in 2021 due to Hurricane Ida, and many musical instruments were destroyed, damaged or lost. The Guitar Center Music Foundation, alongside Music Rising (the natural relief fund of Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation) and Save The Music Foundation, was able to help the program replace these instruments with a large donation of instruments and other gear. In a special ceremony on Friday, September 30, 2022, the organizations teamed up at the school and presented the program with the entire haul – while enjoying a rousing performance from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and remarks from school officials and representatives from the organizations.
GCMF has provided Marrero Middle School with a brand-new drum line, various brass instruments, and much-needed storage components; Music Rising and Save The Music Foundation have provided several dozen additional instruments. Local artist Josh Wingerter began fundraising efforts for the program last year (just one of multiple private fundraising campaigns spearheaded by community members), and though he was successful and raised a considerable amount of funding, he reached out to GCMF for additional assistance and got the ball rolling. The ceremony on September 30 represented the culmination of these grassroots efforts and the successful cooperation between GCMF and the other organizations.
Several individuals shared remarks at the ceremony, including Christina Conforto (Principal, Marrero Middle School), Dr. James Gray (Superintendent, Jefferson Parish Schools), Jeremy Williams (Marrero Middle School band director), Myka Miller (The Guitar Center Music Foundation Executive Director), Chiho Feindler (Save The Music Foundation Chief Program Officer), Greg Lambousy (New Orleans Jazz Museum Director) and Wendell Brunious (trumpet, Preservation Hall). Additional Guitar Center-affiliated personnel were in attendance, including Ryan Salinas (GC District Manager), Bryan Kerlec (GC Store Manager), Rob Dickason (Music & Arts – Repair Shop Manager) and Chad Braud (Music & Arts Ed Rep). Members of the Marrero Middle School band also got to experience a dream come true: performing “When the Saints Go Marching In” with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, thanks to the efforts of Pamela Blackmon from the Preservation Hall Foundation.
Myka Miller stated, “It was so moving to see the kids playing again after almost two years without instruments due to COVID and the storm. In a city like New Orleans, where music is so integral to the culture, it was inspiring to see the parents and other students dancing and singing along to ‘When the Saints Go Marching In.’ The pride in the air was palpable and unlike any other city in America.”
Jeremy Williams remarked, “Ever since Hurricane Ida hit in August of 2021, I have been on a mission to rebuild the band back so we can play again. GCMF and the other organizations have graciously agreed to join this journey along the way. As you already know, the city of New Orleans is known around the globe for its music. When the band went silent, a piece of the city’s heart, soul, and culture went numb. Music is the center of culture here. In helping us rebuild, GCMF’s attention to detail has proven to me how much this project meant to them too. As an educator and musician, I know that money and physical objects can come and go, but in today’s world good humans can be hard to come by, and that is what we found when we connected with GCMF. Hurricane Ida was a tragic event, but in the end, the right connections happened, and we are so very grateful for that.”
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