Schools

Teacher Seeks Donated Instruments for Revived Band Program

Ridgeland Dist. 122 has a new music teacher and a band, now they just need some instruments.

After a six-year absence, Dist. 122 is striking up the band program, thanks to a “can do” teacher.

Amber Feigel is the Ridgeland school district’s new full-time band teacher and she can use a trombone or two, and some woodwind instruments. The teacher is appealing to Oak Lawn and surrounding communities for donations of band instruments.

“I’m taking all I can get,” Amber said. “Right now we’re taking every instrument possible, any sort of percussion, brass or woodwind instruments.”

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In 2007, the district was forced to cut art, music and band. Although music and art were brought back to the district’s curriculum a few years later, the band was kept going as an after school program, mostly through the efforts of parents.

With band again being offered during the school day, D122 students in grades 5-8 will have the opportunity to learn how to play instruments and make beautiful music together.

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“A lot of kids will be beginners, with special attention to returning members,” Feigel said. “[The returning students] are why this program is being brought back because they stuck with it. They’re excited to see the program start in the school day and the high schools are excited to see this happen.”

Part of Amber’s appeal to district officials was her experience working in impoverished schools. The Ridgeland district’s poverty level in its five grammar schools has climbed to 85 percent since the beginning of the Great Recession in 2008.

Last year, the Illinois Department of Human Services calculated that out of the school district’s 2,200 students, 1,764 were living at or below the poverty line. At least 60 percent of the district’s students are receiving a free or reduced lunch.

“Amber was able to get a lot of things donated to the program in Arkansas,” D122 assistant superintendent Eric Trimberger said. “She has brought that knowledge of finding things and getting things done to this program.”

After graduating from from University of Illinois, Amber landed a job with Teach for America, a program that endeavors to expand educational opportunities for children in the poorest of areas.

Her first teaching assignment was at Palestine-Wheatley Middle School and High School in Arkansas, a rural district with a 100-percent poverty rate. There, Amber started a band and choir program, and was able to outfit the Arkansas school’s band program with used instruments.

“I was in the highest poverty area in the United States,” she said. “The students I worked with didn’t have proper plumbing in their houses. I’ve met these challenges before and have seen all the great things that a good band program can do for kids.”

Amber wants the band program to have as little cost to families as possible through donated instruments. The school district is offering a “rent-to-buy” program where families make monthly payments that go toward the purchase of the instrument. Students participating in the rent-to-buy program receive free maintenance and repair on the instrument, no matter what the cost.

“We received a few donations but we’re hoping to get some more,” Amber said. “I’m anticipating we’ll need quite a few instruments to get the band program started again.”

Amber says if a child wants to join band, this is the year to do it.

“This year will be the easiest year for a student to join band because of the extra attention that will be given,” she said. "Any child in grades 5-8 can join.”

A Parent Registration/Instrument Rental Night will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Simmons Middle School. Parents must attend to register their child!

In addition to band instruments, guitars and keyboards are being accepted for the district’s revived choral program.

If you have a tuba or clarinet sitting unused in your attic or basement, why not donate it to the D122 band program. Donated instruments can be dropped off at Simmons Middle School during school hours at 6450 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn.

Amber says she’s also happy to come by your house and pick up donated instruments.

For more information, contact band teacher Amber Feigel by email at afeigel@ridgeland122.com.

Here are the instruments being sought for D122's band program:

  • Band-wind Instruments: Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Cornet, French Horn, Baritone/Euphonium, and Tuba.
  • Percussion: Snare Drums, Bass Drums, Drum Sets, Cymbals, Keyboard, Xylophone,  Bells, Marimba, Chimes and any other smaller percussion instruments (such as: Triangle, Tambourine, Bongos, Congas, Djembe, Maracas, Rain Sticks, Shakers, Wood Block, Temple Blocks, Guiro, Sleigh Bells, Claves, Castanets, etc.)
  • Guitars and keyboards for the D122's choral program.




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