The music program at MOBOCES received a boost to its instrument collection this spring through an award from The Guitar Center Music Foundation, a national organization that supports music education in schools.

The grant provided 10 Yamaha ¾ size acoustic-electric guitars, 10 Mitchell acoustic-electric ukuleles, an electric bass and a baby cajón, a box-shaped percussion instrument.

“We are very proud and grateful to receive this grant,” music teacher Jack Chesebro said. “Having high-quality instruments as part of the instructional program is key to long-term student engagement and satisfaction in music.”

All middle school students and about half of our high school students study music with Chesebro and music teacher Patrick Scott. The program includes instrumental and vocal music as well as music history and appreciation.

The new instruments replaced some aging instruments, brought new items to the school’s music collection, and helped build full class sets of some instruments. Previously, some students played virtual instruments on iPads while others played actual instruments, Chesebro said.

Ninth grader J.J. Ward, from Oneida, said the instruments have made music class more engaging.

“Without the instruments, this class was still fun, but we are more hands-on with the new instruments and hardly use the iPads anymore,” he said.

Ninth grader Madison Piacentino, from Rome, enjoys playing the guitar and drums.

“Last year, before these new instruments, class was definitely not as much fun as it is now,” she said.

Chesebro had students involved with the instruments as soon as they were delivered to school, allowing them to help unbox and test the items. They have since used them regularly in class, and students plan to write thank-you notes to the foundation later this year.