Sometimes people do nice things and it makes everyone happy. The non-profit Tipitina’s Foundation presented the non-profit Roots of Music student marching band with more than $40,000 worth of new and refurbished instruments. The student band received the instruments during a surprise donation ceremony following their last practice of 2016, along with a party catered by the Link Restaurant Group.
Tipitina’s Foundation is a non-profit foundation that grew out of the legendary New Orleans music venue that remains a cultural icon today and continues to be instrumental in the development and promotion of Louisiana music around the world. Tipitina’s Foundation supports Louisiana and New Orleans’ irreplaceable music community and preserves the state’s unique musical cultures by promoting childhood music education, the professional development of adult musicians, and the increased profile and viability of Louisiana music as a cultural, educational, and economic resource.
The Roots of Music provides music history and theory as well as instrumental instruction and ensemble performance preparation to kids ages 9-14 from low-income households. They provide students with hot meals and round-trip transportation to reduce common barriers to participation. Five days a week, 12 months a year, the program delivers over 2,500 hours of music education and other academic tutoring, over 30,400 nutritious hot meals, 1,400 bus journeys, and supplies over 150 instruments for student use. It’s simply beautiful.
Both organizations go hand-in-hand in ensuring that the legendary sounds of New Orleans are kept alive through the growing potentials of its youth. Jeff Strout of the Tipitina’s Foundation was on site to capture this thoughtful exchange, which you can see in the photos below.
