Keep the Beat Instrument Drive Brings in 60 Instruments for School Music Programs

Last month, 99.9 KTYD teamed up with the Santa Barbara Education Foundation to promote music education in our schools with the Keep the Beat Instrument Drive.

The live on-air event, which appealed to the community for donations of used instruments and funds for Santa Barbara Unified music programs, yielded over 60 musical instruments and over $10,000 in support. When asked about the number and quality of instruments donated, 99.9 KTYD Morning Mojo host Lin Aubuchon remarked, “Every day, we are astounded by the generosity of our community. Thank you, KTYD Tribe!”

The month-long radio event featured interviews and performances by current Santa Barbara Unified music students, teachers, and professional musicians who found their love of music in public school music programs. In interviews with local professional musicians like Glen Phillips, Madalena Fossatti, and Bucket Baker, the message was clear that music education elevates student learning opportunities and outcomes.

“The instrument fund has put instruments in kids’ hands and given them an infinite gift, a purpose, a superpower, a reason and excuse to show up to school, and life,” according to Monroe Elementary School Music Teacher Liz Caruso. “Instruments provide support and gateways for students to find their voice and navigate their way throughout their formative school years. You never know how music and specifically interpreting the world through an instrument will impact a child’s life.”

And parents agree. Laila DiGuilio’s daughter Lucca is a 6th grade Monroe Elementary School student who performed live at the 99.9 KTYD studios during the Instrument Drive. From DiGuilio’s perspective, “Allowing our children the opportunity to explore instruments with their own hands, and to choose instruments they get to take home for practice, is a priceless gift. Bringing home an instrument inspires their creativity and confidence and expands their view of themselves and their world.”

Special thanks to the Johnson Ohana Foundation, Pacific Premier Bank, Maho Prentice Attorneys at Law, David Edelman Consulting, The Anchor Rose, and Nick Rail Music for supporting the Keep the Beat Instrument Drive.

Since 2003, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation has kept the beat for school music programs by raising funds for music instruction and collecting instruments for local school music programs. For more information, visit www.santabarbaraeducation.org.