Mr. Holland Opus Foundation

Learning to play a musical instrument in school helps children to develop not only an ear for music, but also the discipline to undertake a task and stick with it. The results of that discipline can last them all their lives, helping them as they grow into adulthood. But many young people are unable to participate, either due to a lack of an instrument, or the funds to get one.

Today’s Family First Site is one that can help young people who want to, take that musical journey. The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation is an agency that is committed to providing new and refurbished musical instruments to communities and schools that may not be able to get them any other way. It is based on the concept that the benefits of music and learning to play an instrument have proven positive effects on children’s emotional, intellectual, and social growth. Here at this site you can see the results of the program, find out how to participate in it, and how to become a sponsor as well.
To quote Richard Dreyfuss (AKA Mr. Holland), “…there is one thing that this country is going to need over the next forty years. It is a grand sense of possibility, to develop the Well Rounded Minds that will challenge the future. Music and the arts must be part of shaping that future”. I don’t think it can be said any better than that.
http://www.mhopus.org/