Short Summary
My name is Chase Jordan. I am a member of BSA Venturing Crew One (http://www.crew1.org/) in Bozeman, MT, and I'm working on my eagle scout project: the renovation of a practice module in the Bozeman High School Department of Music.
I want to give back to the music community who has contributed so much to me. Since I started playing the viola in 5th grade, I have always had the same teacher influencing me in at least one orchestra every year and through private teaching. Because of this impact, I have been blessed to be apart of two Montana All-State Orchestras, the first University of Montana All-Star Orchestra, and the 2015 All-Northwest Orchestra. Additionally, I sit as the principal chair in two orchestras and will be sitting as the principal chair in a combined orchestra that is touring in Los Angeles, California this spring. Hence, I want to say thank you and create a project dedicated to the great music educators in the Bozeman community.
I plan to renovate one of the practice modules in the Bozeman High School Department of Music. In general, all of these practice modules have been worn down from 20 years of use and are in serious need of renovation. My goal is to renovate a module to improve its aesthetics, sound, and effectiveness so that chamber ensembles and others who use it will be more inspired by its new environment.
What We Need
The $1632 requested as the goal is meant to fund four phases:
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The first phase is interior painting. Currently, the practice modules are made of sheet metal, creating an industrial feel as opposed to the inspirational feel that is so essential to developing fine arts. The cost of paint, primer, and degreaser for the module (which is large enough to comfortably hold a string quintet) is $279.
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The second phase is floor replacement. Again, the flooring is commercial grade linoleum - it does not create an atmosphere conducive to inspiration. In order to rent the required tools, and purchase enough wood flooring and underlayment, the cost is $401.
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The third phase is interior protection and decor. In order to prevent re-scratching of the walls. we will put up a wooden chair rail. This will include an elegant but simple design in order to protect the newly renovated walls as well as improve the module's ambience. Other interior renovation will include decorative vent covers, more natural lighting (to replace cool temperature fluorescent), and the construction of baseboards. The cost for this is $548.
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The fourth phase is exterior decor. My good friend is a professional graphics artist - she designed the logo for Hawks Night Live 2014, and has already provided us with artwork for this renovation entailing a Hawk (the BHS school mascot) with a music note in its talons. A mural on the side of the module will display this art. The purpose of this phase is to promote school spirit while diminishing the industrial nature of the wing. This will cost approximately $104.
Remaining funding will be used to provide food to volunteers, a little bit of leeway for fluctuating prices of materials, for purchasing donor perks, and to cover the cost of fees associated with donation transaction processing.
If not enough funds are raised, the project will proceed, prioritizing the phases in order from phase one to four, and/or with the use of cheaper materials. If more funds than needed are raised, the remaining money will be deposited in the Bozeman High Orchestra Activities fund in order to sponsor the 2015 traveling group.
The Impact
This project matters because not only does it promote young musicians who play a variety of classical, jazz, folk, and rock music, but it also benefits a program that is known to enhance the brain. Music is known to increase one's vocabulary, reading skills, math skills, standardized test performance, graduation rate, and decrease substance abuse rates (see: https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-music-education).
Other Ways You Can Help
In your own community support your high school bands, orchestras, and choirs along with your community symphony. These will not stick around without continued attendance.
Become a member of your local Friends of Music or equivalent organization, These organizations play an important role in providing scholarships to aspiring musicians and supporting school music programs.