CMCSS Music Programs Awarded Nearly $150,000 Towards New Instruments
April 9, 2024
Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) students will soon have another opportunity to expand their creative pursuits. Seven schools in the district were named as recipients of the Mr. Holland Opus Foundation grant. New instruments, with a total value of $147,250.96, will be purchased for the schools.
The Mr. Holland Opus Foundation is a national organization that seeks to serve schools, specifically in low-income communities, by replacing old instruments. The grant is filling a great need in the schools, as many students rely on using school-owned equipment. These instruments will allow more students to participate in band programs.
Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation selected seven CMCSS schools based on the priorities of access to instruments. Kenwood, New Providence, West Creek middle schools, and Northeast, Northwest, Montgomery Central, and West Creek high schools will all benefit from the grant.
“I think it’s important for all students to be a part of music,” said Blair Boothe, Band Director at Northeast High School. “It teaches us so much about life.”
On average, 4,000 schools nationwide apply for the grant each year, but about 100 schools receive it.
CMCSS participated in a study as part of the State of the Arts program developed in partnership with the Country Music Association and, through participation, had the opportunity to apply for the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation grant.
About the State of the Arts Program
The State of the Arts program was developed and launched in 2018 as a public-private partnership between the Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation and the Tennessee Department of Education. The program seeks to expand student access to high-quality music and arts education by leveraging Tennessee’s rich history in the arts. The State of the Arts program and our vision for arts education aim to bring quality, sequential visual and performing arts instruction delivered by a certified arts educator during the school day to every public school student in Tennessee. For more information, visit https://cmafoundation.org/state-of-the-arts/.