The Gift Foundation Makes Music Available to At-Risk Youth BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ
Inside the instrument sales center at the Northwest Atlanta headquarters.
Music is a powerful force that inspires us, brings us hope, provokes memories and so much more. One of the most overwhelming illustrations of music’s influence over humanity happened on the Titanic, with the actions of bandmaster Wallace Hartley. He and his fellow musicians started playing music as the ship began to sink, to keep the passengers calm while the crew loaded the lifeboats. Survivors reported the band continued to play until the very end. Tragically, all band members perished. Song after song that they played served as their own requiem. That kind of impact illustrates why the Gift of Music Foundation in Cobb County was founded in 2015. After serving the community as a band director and freelance teacher for local marching bands, Chris Monroe, executive director/CEO, saw cut after cut in music programs. He launched the foundation as a response to the ongoing, nationwide decline in funding and lack of prioritization for music education. Monroe and his fellow leaders at Gift of Music work relentlessly to offer access to music for at-risk young people, by forming partnerships with music teachers, public schools and other organizations. “Music is too important for any student to miss the opportunity to learn,” said Scott Keefer, vice president and instruments program director. “It’s such a great feeling to see a child’s face light up when they are given their first real instrument. You can see the joy right away.” Gift of Music has a variety of ways to keep music a part of our children’s lives.
Gift of Music’s team meets with parents to provide instruments for their beginning students. 22
AROUND WOODSTOCK | February 2022
• Access to instruments. Musical instruments are provided to beginner-level students. According to the nonprofit’s website, Gift of Music is the only source in our area for reduced price and free instrument rentals for those with qualifying financial circumstances. • Instrument donations. The foundation accepts unused band and orchestra instruments that are gathering dust in closets.
