OPINION PAGE
PUBLISHED SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2004

Bravo helps students experience joy of music

At a time when schools across the state are converting computer labs and music rooms into regular classrooms because of funding shortfalls, it's certainly music to the ears of students that a local organization is raising money to buy instruments for school music programs.

Bravo for Kids, the brainchild of Bill Dollarhide of Dollarhide's Music and Sound, and Denis McKinnon, a retired Wachovia banker, will use proceeds from this year's fund-raising drive to benefit Carver/Century K-8 School, and eventually other Escambia County schools.

The hope is that Bravo for Kids will help encourage interested students, who have not participated in music because of cost, to take part in band or orchestra.

McKinnon earns high marks for already raising $15,500, and the Escambia School Board pledged in January to match the funds with $10,000 every year.

Since 1999, schools across the state have cut music opportunities for students. And with statewide achievement tests that focus heavily on reading, writing, math and science, many schools have had to abandon subjects such as music, art and drama to provide more time to prepare for the high-stakes tests.

The Bravo for Kids program actually has two separate components. The Debut program will provide to the school new instruments that are too expensive for families to buy for beginners. The Encore program will accept donated instruments to lend to students. Donated instruments are tax deductible. If you'd like to donate an instrument, call Dollarhide's Music and Sound at 494-9898.