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One String at a Time

School:: Deltona Middle School
Subject:: Music
Teacher:: Victoria Senko
Students Impacted:: 85
Grade:: 6-8
Date:: August 28, 2023

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

FUTURES Foundation - $504.77

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 85

Due to the generosity of the FUTURES Foundation, I was able to purchase a total of 24 full sets of strings. Specifically, 10 sets of violin strings, 7 sets of viola strings, and 7 sets of cello strings. As a result, instruments that have been long overdue for new strings were able to replaced. Additionally, the fulfillment of this grant provided a learning opportunity for students to learn the process of changing strings: how, when, and why we need to change strings. I also had students due a blind-listening test where students were challenged with identifying the instrument that had new strings versus one that did not. This was a really fun experiment where students deepened their understanding of their instrument and how important quality of sound/tone is.

Thank you FUTURES Foundation!!

Receipt of strings purchased from Shar Music

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Violinists and their new strings!

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Some more violinists and their new strings!

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Violists and their new strings!

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Cellists and their new strings!

Original Grant Overview

Goal

The Deltona Middle School Orchestra Program has grown since I started as the director in 2021 and there are now 75 students enrolled in the orchestra program playing violin, viola, cello, or double bass. I am so lucky to have this growth in my program, however higher enrollment in the orchestra program causes extra costs associated with maintaining the orchestra instruments. The most essential and expensive accessory for orchestra instruments are strings. Fresh, high-quality strings are one of the most important factors that can help my students play and sound to the best of their ability in their orchestra ensemble. It is my goal to provide my students with strings for their instruments that deliver great performance and are durable enough to last a long time.

What will be done with my students

The outcome of this grant would impact the orchestra program immediately by changing the strings on instruments that need to be replaced. Currently, I have instruments with old strings that are rusted, frayed, and tarnished. This affects a student's success in orchestra because they are having to fight variables out of their control with their instrument. Thus, providing students with new strings is essential to help improve a student's musicality, intonation, technique, skills, and confidence.

Benefits to my students

Providing new strings for orchestra instruments will help students take pride in playing their instrument and build confidence through performance. The necessity of strings also directly correlates to improving a student's technique, sound production, and musicality. This directly relates to two Florida Standard/Benchmarks.
MU.68.S.3.2:
Demonstrate proper vocal or instrumental technique.

MU.68.S.3.6:
Develop and demonstrate efficient rehearsal strategies to apply skills and techniques.

Budget Narrative

I have prioritized the amount of string sets for each instrument based on the proportion of instruments I have that need strings replaced.
-10 sets of Violin Strings
-5 sets of Viola Strings
-7 sets of Cello Strings

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	Overture Premium Bulk Violin String 10-Sets 4/4	$88.99
2	Overture Ultra Viola String Set Long Scale 15-16.5	$41.17
3	Overture Ultra Viola String Set Long Scale 15-16.5	$41.17
4	Overture Ultra Viola String Set Long Scale 15-16.5	$41.17
5	Overture Ultra Viola String Set Long Scale 15-16.5	$41.17
6	Overture Ultra Viola String Set Long Scale 15-16.5	$41.17
7	Overture Cello String Set 4/4 Size	$29.99
8	Overture Cello String Set 4/4 Size	$29.99
9	Overture Cello String Set 4/4 Size	$29.99
10	Overture Cello String Set 4/4 Size	$29.99
11	Overture Cello String Set 4/4 Size	$29.99
12	Overture Cello String Set 4/4 Size	$29.99
13	Overture Cello String Set 4/4 Size	$29.99
	Total:	$504.77