Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation Offers Instruments for School Music Programs

The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation donates both new and refurbished instruments to school and after-school music programs in the United States that lack the resources to keep up with equipment loss due to attrition, depreciation, and wear over time, and to accommodate students on waiting lists or who have to share instruments.

The foundation funds instrument repair and the acquisition of new instruments (not cash grants). Priority is given to music programs serving low-income communities, programs with little or no budget for musical instruments, and music programs that serve the most students out of the school population.

The foundation offers three programs of support:

The Melody Program helps K-12 school instrumental music programs that take place during the regular school day. Public, private, and charter schools may apply; however, schools must be Title 1 or be able to demonstrate financial need. Schools must have an established instrumental music program (i.e. concert band, marching band, jazz band, and/or orchestra) that has been in existence for at least three years. Schools must have an existing inventory of instruments. Requests should not exceed $10,000 worth (retail value) of musical instruments.

The Special Projects Program helps before- and after-school music programs. Programs must be at least three years old and serve primarily school-age youth from low-income families, or students that attend Title 1 schools. Programs must have an existing inventory of instruments. Requests should not exceed $10,000 worth (retail value) of musical instruments.

The Michael Kamen Solo Award helps outstanding student musicians enrolled in grades eight to 12 who cannot afford to obtain an appropriate instrument. Students must have completed at least five years of study on their instrument to be eligible. Instruments with a retail value of up to $20,000 are awarded. Only students who are still in secondary school may apply.

Applications are made available by invitation only. Potential applicants must first submit an online pre-qualification form to be considered for an invitation. Pre-qualification forms will be available at the foundation's Web site until October 1, 2010. For those invited to apply, the application deadline is November 1, 2010. Awarded programs will receive instrument donations in time for the 2011/12 school year.

Visit the foundation web site for guidelines and forms.