Category: Community Outreach

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Community Outreach Instruments in the Attic

I.C. Norcom High School Instrument Donation

Derik J. Wright (pictured to the far left), joins the MCAA family as the Assistant Coordinator of Instruments in the Attic. Mr. Wright had the opportunity to fill some instrumental needs at his previous employer I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, VA, where he served as band director for several years. I.C. Norcom is the 2nd oldest historically African American High School in the nation. The Academy donated 3 trumpets, 2 alto saxophones, 5 clarinets, and 3 flutes.

“The Instruments in the Attic program holds a special place in my heart. Coming from teaching in a Title I school, one of my biggest hurdles was inventory. I simply would not have enough instruments for all of my students and they would have to share. This program puts unused instruments in the hands of students who not only need them but will put them to good use.”

Derik Wright

Mr. Wright is currently studying Wind Conducting under Dr. William Lake Jr. (Mason Summer Band Camp & Summer Conducting Symposium Director) at George Mason. He holds two degrees from Norfolk State University in Music Media (B.M) and Music Theory & Composition (M.M). 

Written by Derik J. Wright

Edited by Regina Schneider

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Piano Available

Piano Available to Good Home

A generous family from Annandale, VA recently contacted the Academy about gifting their Baldwin Acrosonic Spinet piano to a good home. If anyone is interested in accepting this gift, please contact us ASAP. Note: the piano has one or two sticky keys.

The piano is approximately 60 years old and is free of charge; however, the family requests the recipient to pay for the moving expense, which averages around $250-300 (when using a professional piano moving company) depending on the distance traveled, number of stairs involved, etc. Also, acoustic pianos usually require a tuning from a professional piano tuner after a move as well. 

If you think you have a need (and a space) for this piano, it’s a great opportunity to look into. We will handle this on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please email us at academy@gmu.edu (no phone calls please) and put “Piano Available to Good Home” in the subject (or simply Reply to the Newsletter email). A recipient will be matched as soon as possible.

Please note that these opportunities typically come up several times throughout the year, so keep checking the Academy Newsletter!

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Community Outreach Instruments in the Attic

Instrument in the Attics Donation to Wynne Schools

Instrument Donation

On April 28, 2023, Instruments in the Attic (IiA) was able to provide over 100 instruments and accessories to middle and high school students in Wynne, Arkansas. Matthew Cooper, a middle school music teacher in Wynne Schools, reached out to Dr. Samantha Clarke (IiA Coordinator) earlier this academic year seeking instruments for the program. Cooper had learned about and received instruments from IiA in the past when he was teaching in Maryland, so he sought help from the program again in his current job. In the midst of coordinating the details of the instrument pick-up and school needs, the Wynne community faced an unimaginable tragedy: on March 31, their town was struck by a massive tornado. It completely destroyed their high school and half of their town. While they are on a path to recovery, the damages will take at least 2-3 years to rebuild.

Wynne High School destroyed by the tornado. Local Memphis 24
Matthew Cooper, Middle School Music Teacher, and colleague with MCAA Staff

Cooper stated, “These instruments could not have come at a better time.” He and his colleague drove from Wynne, Arkansas to Mason Community Arts Academy with a trailer in tow in order to get instruments and supplies back to their students. The donation included band and orchestra instruments, guitars, percussion equipment, and various accessories, and has made it possible for music to continue for the students in Wynne despite the hardships they are facing. Receiving these instruments has allowed the students to attend and perform at Music in the Parks at Magic Springs in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and has allowed the guitar ensemble to remain intact. As Cooper said, “This is going to help us so very much moving forward out of this disaster.”

Instrument Donation

Instruments in the Attic is always seeking instrument donations so that we can continue to help those in need locally, nationally, and internationally. If you would like to make a donation or to find out more, please visit our page or email us at academy@gmu.edu!

Written by Dr. Samantha Clarke
Edited by Regina Schneider

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Community Outreach Faculty News Instruments in the Attic

Instruments in the Attic Travels to Jamaica

MCAA guitar teacher, Glen McCarthy was generous enough to include Instruments in the Attic (IiA) on his vacation to Sandals, Jamaica over winter break. Before his trip, Mr. McCarthy came to Instruments in the Attic Coordinator, Samantha Clarke, seeking a trumpet to bring with him. He explained that the Sandals Foundation was in need of a trumpet, and that he would love to bring it there on behalf of Instruments in the Attic.

This is not the first time that Mr. McCarthy donated an instrument on IiA’s behalf. Not only has he brought other instruments to the Sandals Foundation as a part of his travels, but Mr. McCarthy regularly facilitates donations to school music programs throughout the Northern Virginia area. Mr. McCarthy is always generously lending his time to IiA by assessing and repairing guitars and helping to match instruments with students and teachers in need. Mr. McCarthy is such an asset to Instruments in the Attic, The Academy, and our greater community, and we are so fortunate to have him here at MCAA!

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Community Outreach Events Instruments in the Attic

Instruments in the Attic: Instrument Drive

The first Mason Band Concert of the academic year will take place on Monday, October 17th at 7:30pm in Mason’s Center for The Arts Concert Hall, featuring the Mason Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony, conducted by the new Director of Concert Bands, Dr. William L. Lake, Jr.

Dr. Lake has sparked a partnership with MCAA’s Instruments in the Attic Program by initiating an Instrument Drive to be held at each of the Mason band concerts this year, beginning with his inaugural concert as Director of Concert Bands on 10/17. The next concert dates will be Mason Symphonic Band on 11/21 and Mason Wind Symphony on 12/1. Instruments can be dropped off at the MCAA table in the Center for The Arts lobby prior to each of these concerts, beginning at 7pm. A representative from MCAA will be there to facilitate donations and to answer any questions you may have.

Instruments in the Attic works to give donated instruments a new life by getting them into the hands of students and teachers in need. All donations to help us continue this mission are greatly appreciated! Any questions can be directed via email to Samantha Clarke, Coordinator of the Instruments in the Attic program at sclark55@gmu.edu. We hope you can join us at these concerts and that you consider donating any instruments you have that are no longer being used!

Tickets and more information can be found here: https://music.gmu.edu/events/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D670607084

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