Project Sound; Stafford’s 6th grade band needs instruments

Image: The cubbie holes are bare. — Each day the 6th grade band class convenes, empty cubbie holes serve as a constant reminder that they desperately need instruments. The first question asked by students is, “When are we getting instruments?”

The cubbie holes are bare. — Each day the 6th grade band class convenes, empty cubbie holes serve as a constant reminder that they desperately need instruments. The first question asked by students is, “When are we getting instruments?” (Barry Byers)

Image: Writing songs — The bottom two rows represent a song that the students and teacher Jesus Perez created together,

Writing songs — The bottom two rows represent a song that the students and teacher Jesus Perez created together, (Barry Byers)

Image: Something’s missing? — 6th grade band member Olivia, pretends to play an instrument. The 6th grade band class is currently seeking instrument donations from the community.

Something’s missing? — 6th grade band member Olivia, pretends to play an instrument. The 6th grade band class is currently seeking instrument donations from the community. (Barry Byers)

Image: Joe can dream — With the 6th grade band lacking enough instruments, Joe makes do and uses a crutch for a trombone.

Joe can dream — With the 6th grade band lacking enough instruments, Joe makes do and uses a crutch for a trombone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Can you lend a hand? — With no instruments handy and hoping for instrument or financial donations from the community, Brooke, Quintera and Aaron clap along to the beat of the metronome scale.

Can you lend a hand? — With no instruments handy and hoping for instrument or financial donations from the community, Brooke, Quintera and Aaron clap along to the beat of the metronome scale. (Barry Byers)

Image: The beat goes on — The 6th grade band works on both clapping rhythms while pretending to blow air thru an instrument.

The beat goes on — The 6th grade band works on both clapping rhythms while pretending to blow air thru an instrument. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hands need tuning — Members of the 6th grade band clap their hands to substitute for instruments they don’t have.

Hands need tuning — Members of the 6th grade band clap their hands to substitute for instruments they don’t have. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tristan’s ready to play — Tristan Upton joins his fellow 6th grade band members and claps with the beat.

Tristan’s ready to play — Tristan Upton joins his fellow 6th grade band members and claps with the beat. (Barry Byers)

Image: Giving it their all! — The 6th grade band class continues to make the best music they can without actual instruments to play.

Giving it their all! — The 6th grade band class continues to make the best music they can without actual instruments to play. (Barry Byers)

Image: The band? — Can you spot what’s missing in this picture? If you guessed a clarinet, a trumpet, a trombone, a baritone, a flute, a snare drum, a base drum, a tuba, a saxophone or an oboe, you were correct!

The band? — Can you spot what’s missing in this picture? If you guessed a clarinet, a trumpet, a trombone, a baritone, a flute, a snare drum, a base drum, a tuba, a saxophone or an oboe, you were correct! (Barry Byers)

Image: Blow high and low — Jesus Perez helps match 6th grade band members select an instrument best suited for their individual talents.

Blow high and low — Jesus Perez helps match 6th grade band members select an instrument best suited for their individual talents. (Barry Byers)

Image: Which do you prefer? — Jesus Perez helps Adrian decide which band instrument would be best suited for him….if the band actually had available instruments.

Which do you prefer? — Jesus Perez helps Adrian decide which band instrument would be best suited for him….if the band actually had available instruments. (Barry Byers)

Image: Flute, maybe? — Sarah goes for it during the instrument test in an effort to choose which band instrument would be best suit her.

Flute, maybe? — Sarah goes for it during the instrument test in an effort to choose which band instrument would be best suit her. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trumpet test — Tristan tries to imagine having his own instrument to play.

Trumpet test — Tristan tries to imagine having his own instrument to play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Austin has skills — Austin tries out on the trumpet.

Austin has skills — Austin tries out on the trumpet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kimberely concentrates — Kimberely appears to be a natural on the clarinet.

Kimberely concentrates — Kimberely appears to be a natural on the clarinet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Go Garcia! — Elizabeth Garcia tries out the clarinet.

Go Garcia! — Elizabeth Garcia tries out the clarinet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Try outs — Isidro blares away on the trumpet.

Try outs — Isidro blares away on the trumpet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Easy enough — Quintera tries to master the flute.

Easy enough — Quintera tries to master the flute. (Barry Byers)

Image: The draft — Jacob enters the draft and gives the clarinet a try.

The draft — Jacob enters the draft and gives the clarinet a try. (Barry Byers)

Image: This little thing? — Hunter is born to play in the band and hopes the community can hunt down extra instruments for the 6th grade band to use.

This little thing? — Hunter is born to play in the band and hopes the community can hunt down extra instruments for the 6th grade band to use. (Barry Byers)

Image: Perfect for David — David seems to comfortable on the baritone, or better yet, the tuba.

Perfect for David — David seems to comfortable on the baritone, or better yet, the tuba. (Barry Byers)

Image: Just add trumpet — Aaron plays air trumpet while hoping the community will be able to provide instrument or financial donations to the 6th grade band.

Just add trumpet — Aaron plays air trumpet while hoping the community will be able to provide instrument or financial donations to the 6th grade band. (Barry Byers)

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