BALDWINSVILLE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Baldwinsville Central School District is providing instruments to its elementary students in band and orchestra programs.
Starting this school year, students in the district’s music programs will not have to buy or rent their own instruments.
In a press release, the district said the cost of renting or buying an instrument can be a determining reason why a student doesn’t sign up for band or orchestra; it wants to remove that barrier.
“Instruments can cost thousands of dollars to buy and renting isn’t cheap. Renting can be $30 to $40 a month, and if a family has more than one child, that cost adds up,” Randall Bennett, the band teacher at Elden and Palmer elementary schools, said.
The district said there is research showing music education helps students develop language and reasoning skills, improves memorization and coordination and helps kids stay engaged in school.
“We know how much music education positively impacts the education of students,” superintendent Joseph M. DeBarbieri said. “In exploring this initiative, we have found that it has had positive results in other school districts. Success was measured by increase in student participation in music programs through high school, growth in academic achievement and students developed stronger relationships with their peers.”