Eliot Arts Magnet and Washington STEAM Magnet Academy in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) are receiving 74 new musical instruments thanks to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. Eliot and Washington were targeted for the instrument donation because of their strong music programs and leadership, striking an important chord for both schools.
“This wonderful award will not only fulfill the hopes and dreams of so many of our student musicians but also will allow us to continue our great work in becoming the premier arts magnet school in PUSD,” said Eliot Arts Magnet Principal Lori Touloumian.
“Learning music in school is a way to engage kids and give them something that makes them better students and better people,” said Felice Mancini, President and CEO of the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. “They deserve every tool available to help them receive a quality education, and we want to insure that music is in that toolbox.”
The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation donates new and refurbished musical instruments to underserved schools in an effort to give youngsters the many benefits of music education, help them to be better students and inspire creativity and expression through playing music. The organization was inspired by the 1995 motion picture Mr. Holland’s Opus and founded by Michael Kamen, who composed the music for the movie and countless others. In the last 19 years, over 18,000 new and refurbished instruments have been donated to over 1,311 schools across the country.