Since 2003, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation has been Keeping the Beat – raising funds to pay for music instructors and instruments.
QUICK FACTS
We collect instruments to repair and put them directly into the hands of students in SB Unified music programs.
Today all K-6 students are receiving one 30-45 minute lesson each week with a credentialed music teacher with curriculum that aligns with the California Standards for Visual and Performing Arts.
You can Keep the Beat for Santa Barbara’s students!
The Santa Barbara Education Foundation will join 99.9 KTYD Morning Mojo’s Lin Aubuchon and Bill Pesso for the entire month of February for the Keep the Beat Instrument Drive. The on-air event will serve as an awareness raiser and celebration for SB Unified’s aspiring musicians. During the month-long radio event, supporters, SB Unified music teachers, and local professional musicians will take to the airwaves on 99.9 KTYD on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to rally the community’s support of music education in local public schools.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE GUESTS JOINING US THIS MONTH! Tune in to 99.9 KTYD at 8:45 am to hear them on-air!
February 1– La Colina Junior High band director Stephen Hughes and his jazz trio
February 6– Monroe Elementary music teacher and Nick Rail Summer Band Camp Director, Liz Caruso and La Cumbre JHS student, Lucca DeGuilio
February 8– Professional drummer and Dos Pueblos High School alum, Bucket Baker
February 13– Professional guitarist and SBUSD alum, Tony Ybarra
February 15– Santa Barbara Education Foundation Programs Manager, Katie Szopa
February 20– Adams Elementary music teacher and Bravo! director, Karen Dutton
February 22– Professional musicians, Karla Bonoff and Sean McCue (9:15am)
February 27– Professional Saxophonist and SBUSD alum and SBCC instructor, Andrew Martinez
February 27– Professional musicians and SBUSD Alumni- Victor Murillo, Lito Hernandez and Miguelito Leon – on La Musical and Radio Bronco
February 29– Saxophonist for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Dos Pueblos High School alum, Karl Hunter
Donate an Instrument
Do you have an instrument gathering dust? Donate your used instruments to put them directly into the hands of students in a local school music program.
INSTRUMENT DROP-OFF SITES
- We are only receiving instrument donations at our office- 1528 Chapala Street, Suite 308 Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Do you have questions about donating? Call us at (805) 284-9125 or at [email protected].
Donate to Funds Keep the Beat
With four different ways to donate, we’ve made it easier than ever! You can
- Mail a check made out to the Santa Barbara Education Foundation to our office at 1528 Chapala Street, Suite 308, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
- Text KEEPTHEBEAT to 44-321.
- Call our office at (805) 284-9125.
- Or donate online by using the button below.
Become a Keep the Beat Sponsor
Show your support of music in our public schools all month during the 99.9 KTYD Keep the Beat Instrument Drive and Fundraiser! Keep the Beat sponsors help put music directly into the hands of SB Unified students.
Do you have questions about sponsorship? Please contact Melissa Davenport, Development Officer, at [email protected] or 805-284-9125, ext. 703
Thank you to our Keep the Beat Radiothon sponsors!
Watch past Keep The Beat performances!
Why the need to Keep the Beat?
You probably know that music education has been proven to raise self-esteem and hone creativity. You probably know that music education develops critical thinking, creative problem solving, and teamwork. And you probably know music education helps students achieve in other academic areas such as science, math, and reading.
But did you know that music majors are the most likely group of college grads to be admitted to medical school? Research reveals strong correlations between quality music education in school and academic achievement. Not only that, music keeps students engaged in school and less likely to drop out. These are just a few of the reasons the Santa Barbara Education Foundation believes so strongly in preserving music education in the schools.
In 2003, devastating budget cuts threatened the elementary instrumental music program. Thanks to the response from local and regional funders, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation was able to raise over $500,000 to keep music education in Santa Barbara’s public schools.
Today all K-6 students are receiving one 30-45 minute lesson each week with a credentialed music teacher with curriculum that aligns with the California Standards for Visual and Performing Arts.
Today our Santa Barbara public school children receive:
- K-2: Orff based instruction in music, singing, rhythm, and movement.
- 3rd grade: Recorder
- 4th grade: Violin
- 5th grade: Instrument of choice. Students may continue on violin, switch to another string instrument, or begin on a band instrument.
- 6th grade: Students will continue to play the instrument they chose in 5th grade.
With support from the City of Santa Barbara.
LATEST NEWS
Read about how Keep the Beat is making an impact in our community.