I am writting on behalf of Bridges Across Borders Music program at the Casa Elizabeth orphange, we can only say thank you for your incredible support. Right now, one of our first violin students is graduating from high school. Her name is Nora Alicia Gaspar she now plays with the mariachi band at the COBACH and is already teaching others how to play. You first donated to us in 2003 about 15 violins, and we took them to the Casa Elizabeth orphanage in Imuris, Mexico.

Right now Mary Kierzyk is the official teacher (Jennifer Sordyl was the first and who you sent violins) with the Casa Elizabeth and she is supporting Nora Alicia Gaspar, our first graduate to go teach once a week to the kids at the orphanage. Nora and another graduate, Marlin want to pass on the a lesson they learned from Hungry for Music.

The gift that Hungry from Music gave them is with them now, they are finding a way to support themselves through teaching. Nora wants to teach children who can not have a violin and Marlin also wants to teach those who can not afford a violin, but have a talent. They are looking for 10 violins to start, in this way they can share with others what they have learned.

Nora says “playing the violin has meant a new road for me, a unique learning experience and has taught me appreciation, positive feelings, and dedication. The violin has motivated me to continue learning.”

Jeff, your program has open doors for all of us. The music program is been a way to help us all to grow thank you . Marlin and Nora and others have flourished with the music Hungry for Music provided. Your organization is an inspiration for us all.
Ana Maria Vasquez
Imuris, Mexico

Jennifer Sordyl teaching at Casa Elizabeth in Mexico with HFM-donated violins.

Read an NPR piece about HFM founder Jeff Cambell here at NPR.org
Instruments Of Good: The Healing Power Of Music, by Linton Weeks

Please go to hungryformusic.com/vote.html to vote for Hungry for music!!

Hungry for Music has always relied on the support and generosity of our amazing community of friends. But seldom have we had a chance to benefit so much from so little effort on your part.

Last month, HFM entered the competition in the new Pepsi Refresh Project, which gives away $1.3 million per month to “good ideas” — that is, ideas that do good. Our project is called GET INSTRUMENTAL!, a year-long, ten-city plan to get 10,000 instruments to 10,000 kids. That’s far more than we’ve ever been able to reach before.

GET INSTRUMENTAL! is competing for one of two awards of $250,000. I don’t have to tell you how much that kind of funding could mean to our outreach efforts. The awards are made based strictly on the number of votes each plan receives. Voting just opened yesterday, and we are thrilled to be in the Top Ten ideas for the largest grants!

Voting is open to anyone, it’s completely free, and you can vote every day. Please, take the time to sign up and show your support for HFM. Your vote could make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of kids!

It’s easy to get voting:

1. Check us out at http://www.refresheverything.com/getinstrumental

2. Click “Vote for This Idea.”

3. Go through the quick, free signup (to prevent internet robots from voting a million times). If you’re signed into Facebook, you can just click the “Connect with Facebook” button.

4. Spread the word! The more people who help us out, the better our chances.  Please consider posting on your website, sending to your email list, posting on facebook/twitter/myspace, etc.

5. Come back and vote every day this month. Maybe even make it a habit when you start at your computer each morning. At the end of February, votes will be tallied and we hope to be in the top two!

As always, THANK YOU SO MUCH! Hungry for Music could not do what we do without the support of people like you.

Third Shipment: Third shipment of instruments for 2010 going out this week: 15 violins (some violas) to children in Austin, TX (donated in the memory of Amy Farris) and 6 acoustic guitars to JAMM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) Program in Sparta, NC.

Total year-to-date instrument donations: 58

When? Saturday, February 13 at 2 pm
Where? University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Center Gildenhorn Theatre
Who? Barry Louis Polisar and Robbie Schaefer
How Much? $15.00 (Tickets go on sale soon – check back for updated info)
Why? A fundraiser for Hungry for Music in celebration of our 15th anniversary

Polisar and Schaefer are teaming for the first time in a benefit show celebrating the 15th anniversary of Hungry for Music, a nonprofit that donates musical instruments to underprivileged kids. Polisar (”Sesame Street,” “Juno”) is a pioneer in the world of books and music for children and a four-time Parents’ Choice award winner. His fans just released a 60-song CD, “We’re Not Kidding! A Tribute to Barry Louis Polisar.” Schaefer, guitarist and songwriter for the indie folk/rock band Eddie From Ohio, recorded “Songs for Kids Like Us” in 2006, which led to co-hosting XM Radio’s Kids Place Live channel and his show, “Robbie Schaefer’s Stuck in a Real Tall Tree.”
The event is co-sponsored by the Beta Eta chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority, which serves the University of Maryland’s Mighty Sound of Maryland marching band.

Web sites:
Barry Louis Polisar – www.barrylou.com
Robbie Schaefer – www.robbieschaefer.com
Hungry for Music – www.hungryformusic.org

Click here to view the Facebook event page

Video:
Hungry For Music Intro Video