Since 2003, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation has been Keeping the Beat – raising funds to pay for music instructors and instruments.
QUICK FACTS
19
YEARS
1700
INSTRUMENTS COLLECTED
We collect instruments to repair and put them directly into the hands of students in SB Unified music programs.
100
K-6 STUDENTS RECEIVING MUSIC EDUCATION
Today all K-6 students are receiving one 30-45 minute lesson each week with a credentialed music teacher with curriculum that aligns with the California Standards for Visual and Performing Arts.
How you can Keep the Beat for Santa Barbara’s students!
The Santa Barbara Education Foundation will join 99.9 KTYD Morning Mojo’s Lin Aubuchon and Bill Pesso for the entire month of February for the Keep the Beat Instrument Drive. The on-air event will serve as an awareness raiser and celebration for SB Unified’s young aspiring musicians. During the month-long radio event, supporters, SB Unified music teachers, and local professional musicians will take to the airwaves to rally the community’s support of music education in local public schools.
Donate to Keep the Beat
You can donate three different ways:
- By mailing a check to the SBEF office at 1330 State Street, Suite 201, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
- By calling our office at (805) 284-9125.
- Or online by clicking the button below.
Donate an Instrument
Do you have an instrument gathering dust? Donate your used instruments to put them directly into the hands of students in a local school music program. We will host Instrument drop-off events every Friday at the SBEF office during the month of February from 9am to 2pm.
SBEF Office
1330 State Street, Suite 201, Santa Barbara, CA
(Corner of State and Sola)
Thank you to our Keep the Beat Radiothon sponsors!
Watch performances from past Keep the Beat Radiothons!
Franklin Elementary School
Dos Pueblos High School Jazz Band
Will Breman
Monroe Elementary School
The Piano Boys
The Brambles
La Cumbre Junior High School Drumline
Dos Pueblos High School String Orchestra
OutOfTheBlue
Why the need to Keep the Beat?
You probably know that music education has been proven to raise self-esteem and hone creativity. You probably know that music education develops critical thinking, creative problem solving, and teamwork. And you probably know music education helps students achieve in other academic areas such as science, math, and reading.
But did you know that music majors are the most likely group of college grads to be admitted to medical school? Research reveals strong correlations between quality music education in school and academic achievement. Not only that, music keeps students engaged in school and less likely to drop out. These are just a few of the reasons the Santa Barbara Education Foundation believes so strongly in preserving music education in the schools.
In 2003, devastating budget cuts threatened the elementary instrumental music program. Thanks to the response from local and regional funders, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation was able to raise over $500,000 to keep music education in Santa Barbara’s public schools.
Today all K-6 students are receiving one 30-45 minute lesson each week with a credentialed music teacher with curriculum that aligns with the California Standards for Visual and Performing Arts.
Today our Santa Barbara public school children receive:
- K-2: Orff based instruction in music, singing, rhythm, and movement.
- 3rd grade: Recorder
- 4th grade: Violin
- 5th grade: Instrument of choice. Students may continue on violin, switch to another string instrument, or begin on a band instrument.
- 6th grade: Students will continue to play the instrument they chose in 5th grade.
With support from the City of Santa Barbara.
LATEST NEWS
Read about how Keep the Beat is making an impact in our community.
The ringing of school bells isn't the only sound that reminds us that Santa Barbara schools are back in session. The sound of violins, mostly played in unison, echoing through…
Last month, 99.9 KTYD Morning Mojo's Lin Aubuchon and Bill Pesso dedicated all of February to the Keep the Beat Instrument Drive. The on-air event raised awareness, celebrated SB Unified's…
Since 2003, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation has been keeping the beat for school music programs by raising funds to pay for music instruction and collecting instruments for local school…
The Santa Barbara Education Foundation awarded SB Unified music teachers with $24,000 to purchase necessary instruments and materials for the upcoming school year. This year SB Unified music teachers are…