New instruments for Lakewood students

Music students at Lakewood School in Carpentersville no longer will have to play hand-me-down instruments held together with duct tape and glue.

The school recently received a $26,600 grant from the California-based Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, which supports underfunded music programs. The foundation was founded by Michael Kamen, the composer for the 1995 movie, “Mr. Holland’s Opus.”

Jon Herath, band teacher at Lakewood School, said the grant will enable more students to participate in the band or orchestra programs. More than 400 students currently participate, about 50 percent of the school’s population of fifth- and sixth-graders.

“We are getting instruments to kids who need them,” Herath said. “The hardest thing was turning kids away last year because we didn’t have the instruments.”

Jordan Mathews, a 12-year-old sixth-grader, said when the students found out about the grant, they all cheered.

“We need new instruments to make us better and get more kids in band,” said Jordan, who plays the tenor sax. “Some people offered their old instruments but now Mr. Herath can have his own instruments and have a bigger band.”

The grant will provide for 20 new and five refurbished instruments, including flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, euphoniums, oboes and violas, Herath said.

“In the past, students played instruments that were barely held together with duct tape and glue,” Herath said. “Most of our instruments are donated by people who used to play, and they’re on average 15 to 20 years old and not well-kept. A lot of our budget was spent on fixing old instruments.”

In the last five years, Herath and orchestra teacher Jennifer O’Donnell have seen 100 percent growth in the program. Herath said music is essential for a balanced education.

“Research has shown that students who are involved in music get higher reading and math scores, there’s a correlation,” Herath said. “They use their creative gene, have a harder work ethic and are more responsible outside of the classroom because they are involved in something extra.”

The instruments are expected to arrive at the school in the next month.