York Suburban School District parent Mindy Jo Hamme has a conversation with the district’s Director of Orchestras, Ashley Thrush.
York Suburban parent Mindy Jo Hamme is shown with some of the new instruments purchased through her fund raising efforts.
The district was in need of replacement and additional instruments for students in the elementary school, Mindy was told. That’s all she had to hear.
The mother of a York Suburban musician, she sprang into action and, with the help of teachers and donations from the community, raised $6,625.
With that money, the district was able to purchase:
16 violins
7 violas
5 cellos
2 bass
11 bows
The instruments were purchased through Kagen and Gaines Music Company in Chicago. Joe Cali, the owner of the company, provided the instruments at a deep discount equal to more than double the amount paid.
The new instruments will be used by students whose families cannot afford to purchase their own instruments.