The Friends of Music has donated a set of unpitched percussion instruments to Spring Mills Primary School in Berkeley County.
Music teacher Courtney Clevenger requested the instruments to add more variety to student ensembles and compositions. The instruments donated included a gong, cabasa, vibraslap, and wind chimes.
The accompanying photo shows two of Ms. Clevenger's students with two of the instruments.
"Beyond the basics," said Ms. Clevenger, "I like to include some instruments that add more timbres for soundscapes," she said. "The students love them."
The donation, which is valued at $300, is part of a Friends' grant program to support music education in Berkeley and Jefferson schools. The grants typically involve instruments and music supplies not covered by regular school budgets. The grants are awarded annually based on applications submitted by music teachers.
The Friends of Music organization is a Shepherdstown-based, non-profit group founded in 1999 to support and promote musical excellence. It supports the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra, the only professional classical music orchestra in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and one of only three such orchestras in the state. Full information about the Friends is available at www.friendswv.org.