The first step in implementing this initiative is to speak with the current CMS Director and the High School Director. I spoke with them at the start of March about the idea. Mr. Prather, at Clinton High, would help me collect the instruments on the dates of the Spring Concerts, May 12th and 13th from 5-7 PM at the high school. The other collection site would be at CMS during 5th Grade Bridge Night on May 6th from 6-8 pm. The collected instruments will be stored in the CMS band room as they are collected. With this information put together, it is imperative that we have the approval of the CMS principal before moving forward. Since sending an email explaining the project, we have already been approved to move forward. 

I will also be reaching out for help to several service focused Music Organizations at the University of South Carolina including Tau Beta Sigma, Kappa Kappi Psi, Sigma Alpha Iota, and Phi Mu Alpha. I will ask these organizations to host a collection night in Columbia and to spread word of this initiative. Since the event is service related, those organizations can use the initiative as a source for their service requirement. 

The general public supports student access to extracurriculars but is unaware of the need for instruments and how the financial burden of purchasing or renting an instrument can keep students out of the band program. By explaining these everyday circumstances that students face and recruiting advocates for the program and this initiative, the need can be shared. I am creating flyers with collection sites and dates so that we can advertise the initiative beyond just Clinton’s Community. All parties involved are going to post information on social media, such as the Band’s Facebook page and the district website. Having organizations at the University of South Carolina involved means that our mission can reach more people.

During the collection nights, we will be documenting who donates instruments and recording their contact information. To represent the band, we will have several student volunteers to help and talk to community members about the needs of the band and what the program means to them. With the help of the students, we will send thank you cards to the donors later on. Following the night, instruments will be loaded and transported to the storage room in the CMS band room 

Realistically, not all instruments will be donated in a working condition or needed, but what cannot be repaired can be used as parts to repair other instruments. Musical Innovations, one of the district approved vendors, has already agreed to visit Clinton Middle during the summer and test the condition of all instruments for free. They will assess what is working, what needs to be repaired, and what cannot be repaired. With the help of the Clinton High School Director, we will sort all instruments, including those already documented within the school inventory, to be examined by Musical Innovations. Anything not needed by the band, for example a violin, can be donated to other local schools. 

With instrument assessments complete, we can begin repairing instruments in small groups at a time. Since repairing all of the instruments at once would be out of the band’s budget, I am going to organize a list based on the necessity of the instrument to send for repair. Although Musical Innovations was willing to test the instrument, we are going to send repairs to the music store that offers the best and most dependable rates for their service. After several years, we will be set with a full inventory of working instruments that students can use. Depending on needs between the high school and middle school, we will divide the inventory how we see fit and ensure that all students in the Clinton Band system are able to participate.

With the donation and repairs of instruments, students will be able to lease instruments from the Band instead of a music shop for $50 for the year. This would save families hundreds of dollars. The fee for the instrument lease would be to hold students accountable for taking care of the instrument and also helps pay for repairs as needed. Leasing the instrument will come with a contract that is signed by the parent and student with information and expectations regarding the care of the instrument. Students that are unable to pay for the leasing fee can apply to have it waived, eliminating the financial burden that comes with participating in band. As we fundraise throughout the year, students can also earn account credit to go to their fees the next year.