Oct 30, 2012

Our Story is Your Story

Stories come to life with Online Instrument Drives

We've had thousands of instruments donated to Ear Candy and placed in school music programs over the last few years. We love bringing joy to students who are eager to make music, but what one of the coolest things is letting  them know that they're part of something really special.  Every instrument has a story and when an instrument moves through our Online Instrument Drive system, we give instrument donors the opportunity to share their experience with music and tell us exactly what their instrument meant to them. Not only are they passing on their instrument, but the history that comes with it.

Andrea, our dedicated Programs Coordinator, came across one particular donor story that she wanted to share with the rest of the Ear Candy team. It is from a lovely individual who donated their Alto Saxophone to Mrs. Ramsey's school band program at ASU Prep Academy:

"My parents purchased this saxophone for me to play in 6th grade in Pendleton Oregon, a small NE town in Oregon where the Pendleton Woolen Mills started.  I played this sax through junior high school and high school.  It has been in a lot of parades and concerts, so it is use to people looking at it.  It has been in storage since the 60s. I decided to give it to a great young musician who will make beautiful music with it ... but to do that the young musician must practice a lot so the sax feels like a part of their body.  Don’t worry about it squeaking or not making a great sound at first … you will get the hang of it after a while and then you can astonish your parents and band members."
We've got so many great stories like this one and we're excited to see all of them come to life as instruments are donated and ready to be placed into the hands of a student. You can browse other requests and read more stories on the Ear Candy Instrument Request page. Then keep the beat going and be part of the conversation, let us know how music has impacted your life.

Oct 25, 2012

Ear Candy Playlist Vol.1: Meet the Team

At Ear Candy, we're an eclectic team brought together by a passion for music education and an enthusiasm for the arts. To keep spirits up in the office there is always a tune or two playing and so to get to know the Ear Candy team we wanted to share with you some of the songs we're loving at the moment.



Nate
Founder & Executive Director


The National | England
Dave Matthews Band | Proudest Monkey
The Black Keys | Sinister Kid





Ian
Strategic Development Director


Avett Brothers | I & Love & You
Lumineers | Stubborn Love
Matt Pond PA | It's Not So Bad at All




Herb
Operations Director



Kings of Leon | Back Down South
Warren Haynes | Man in Motion
Little Feat | Let it Roll






Andrea
Program Coordinator

Stevie Nicks | I Love Rock 'n' Roll
Doobie Brothers | Drift Away
Kansas  | Carry On Wayward Son







Amy
Events Captain


Tiffany | I Think We're Alone Now
New Kids on the Block | Hangin' Tough
Sir Mix-a-Lot | Baby Got Back




Laura
Communications Specialist


Of Monsters and Men | Little Talks
The National | Fake Empire
The Shins | New Slang





Taylor
Development Assistant


Falls | The Ambassador
New Found Glory | Hit or Miss
Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights | Gypsy Woman

Oct 9, 2012

Put Down the Briefcase, Pick Up the Bass



Music lovers are everywhere. Many of them take on full-time work as doctors, lawyers, accountants, bankers, insurance brokers and yes, even as your company's IT professional. Starting this fall, Ear Candy is hosting, Weekend Warriors, a monthly Rock & Roll concert series at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Phoenix. The evening will bring musicians and music enthusiasts together for a night of fun and philanthropy. The featured bands playing each month are principally made up of working professionals in the valley who have happily traded in the corporate gear for musical instruments.
We spoke briefly to Vice President and General Counsel for General Dynamics, and band member of Retro Active, Devon Engel to ask him about his involvement with the Weekend Warriors event.


What's so special about music for you?
Why is it important to participate in events like Weekend Warriors?

In fifth grade, I was given the opportunity to learn to play the bass. Today, as a 46 year old General Counsel of a large company, playing rock and roll on the weekends provides a tremendous amount of stress relief and balance to my life.  

It is important to me that kids in our community who can’t afford their own instruments be given the opportunity I was given to make music a part of their lives.  That is why I volunteer and support Ear Candy and why my band Retro-Active is excited to be a part of Ear Candy’s inaugural Weekend Warrior Concert Series.

The first concert will take place on Saturday, October 13 and will feature Retro-Active (a 80s, 90s and 2K cover band) and Pearl Ridge (Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge tribute band).
There is a $5.00 suggested donation at the door.


Save the date and join us for our first Weekend Warriors Concert:

Saturday, October 13th, 2012 
7:00 pm - 10:30 pm Hard Rock Cafe (3 South 2nd Street #117 Phoenix, AZ 85004)

See our events pages on the Ear Candy website to learn more about the Weekend Warrior Concert Series and check out our event page on Facebook for a list of the bands performing and to RSVP.


SET ONE - 7:30pm Retro-Active 



SET TWO - 9:15 pm Pearl Ridge






"It Takes a Village"

As the band director, Mr. Klaessy has seen his music program grow from 70 students to 280 over the last four years. Although interest in band and music is on the rise at Andalucia Middle school, adequate resources for supplies and instruments haven't exactly been on par. His band is in need of brass and woodwinds and he has made requests for a Tuba, French Horn, Flute and Bass.

Mr. Klaessey's is only one of the many requests that have come in to Ear Candy's Online Instrument Drive system. At Trailside Point School in Laveen, Arizona Mr. Brownfield is waiting for a flute, clarinet, and two trumpets. Like so many other schools, the kids are eager to participate in their music program but neither schools nor parents can afford to rent or buy instruments. With six students on the waiting list for to borrow a school owned instrument, Mr. Brownfield and the Trailside Point Panther band needs your help!

But HOW can you help, you ask?

You've heard the phrase, "it takes a village", and at Ear Candy we rely on the support of the community to fulfill our mission and it's easy to be part of the process to place instruments into the hands of students. If you have an instrument collecting dust in the closet, you could search the requests and decide at what school you would like your instrument placed.

And we know what you're thinking, "I LOVE MY INSTRUMENT!"

Of course you love it and we know how hard it can be to part with an instrument that has been an important part of your life. But knowing the impact it makes when it gets new life is an equally great feeling. Your instrument is going to be put into the hands of a student who is just as passionate about music and your instrument will get to continue to give the gift of music, year after year.

Check out a story that was covered by AZ 3TV News, where Erica donated her violin to Coronado High School student, Desiree:



But if you don't have an instrument living with dust bunnies in your home, fear not. You can STILL help. Once we find instruments to be placed, we need the help of individuals like you, to pledge funds to get the instruments repaired and shipped.

You can learn more and view all of our active teacher requests in the Online Instrument Drive System, here.