QUICK FACTS

16
YEARS

Since 2003 the Santa Barbara Education Foundation has been Keeping the Beat – raising funds to pay for music instructors and instruments.

1410
INSTRUMENTS COLLECTED

We’ve collected over 1,410 instruments and have 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.

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation and 99.9 KTYD Morning Mojo’s Lin Aubuchon and Bill Pesso raise funds and instrument donations for Santa Barbara Unified School District music education programs. During the two-day radio event, SB Unified music teachers, aspiring student musicians, and local musicians take to the airwaves to rally support for music education in local public schools.

How you can Keep the Beat for Santa Barbara’s students!

Pay to Play

Make a donation online by clicking the button below or  by calling (805) 284-9125.

DONATE TO KEEP THE BEAT

Donate an Instrument

Do you have an instrument gathering dust? Donate your used instruments to put it directly into the hands of a student in a local school music program. Call us at 805-284-9125 to or drop off your donation at our office at 1330 State Street, Suite 201 any time Monday through Friday from 9am to 5:30 pm.

Donate an Instrument

Watch performances from the Keep the Beat Radiothon!

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

Thank you to our Keep the Beat Radiothon sponsors!

    

 

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.