Since 2003, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation has been Keeping the Beat – raising funds to pay for music instructors and instruments.
QUICK FACTS
We collect instruments to repair and put them directly into the hands of students in SB Unified music programs.
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.
You can Keep the Beat for Santa Barbara’s students!
The Santa Barbara Education Foundation joined 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 aspiring musicians. During the month-long radio event, supporters, SB Unified music teachers, and local professional musicians took to the airwaves on 99.9 KTYD on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to rally the community’s support of music education in local public schools.
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 accept instrument donations at our office at 1528 Chapala Street, Suite 308, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. However, we are unable to accept piano donations at this time.
Do you have questions about donating? Call us at (805) 284-9125 or at [email protected].
Donate to Funds Keep the Beat
With four different ways to donate, we’ve made it easier than ever! You can
- Mail a check made out to the Santa Barbara Education Foundation to our office at 1528 Chapala Street, Suite 308, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
- Text KEEPTHEBEAT to 44-321.
- Call our office at (805) 284-9125.
- Or donate online by using the button below.
Become a Keep the Beat Sponsor
Show your support of music in our public schools all month during the 99.9 KTYD Keep the Beat Instrument Drive and Fundraiser! Keep the Beat sponsors help put music directly into the hands of SB Unified students.
Do you have questions about sponsorship? Please contact Melissa Davenport, Development Officer, at [email protected] or 805-284-9125, ext. 703
Thank you to our Keep the Beat Radiothon sponsors!
Watch past Keep The Beat performances!
La Colina Junior High School
Tony Ybarra
Victor Murillo, Lito Hernandez, and Miguelito Leon
Lucca from Monroe Elementary
Glen Phillips
Lito Hernandez and Victor Murrillo
Franklin Elementary School
Monroe Elementary School
La Cumbre Junior High School Drumline
Dos Pueblos High School Jazz Band
The Piano Boys
Dos Pueblos High School String Orchestra
Will Breman
The Brambles
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.