music education, sax, saxophone, trauma informed

You are transforming lives through music

You are giving students a musical education that is changing their lives. In the safe space of our music department, students are growing their skills and finding new ways to express their creativity and emotions. 

band, music education, giving to schools, donating curriculum
Beginning Band students received new curriculum from GIA Publications, INC. These students are learning quickly! This generous gift will be heard for years to come.

Turning heads

Lexie came to Cookson Hills with the gift of music, but she struggled with self-confidence. Since joining the band, she has put in a lot of hard work to refine her craft of playing the saxophone, an instrument she only picked up eighteen months ago. Because you have given her the opportunity, she has unlocked and sharpened this talent at an incredible pace! 

At a recent Solo and Small Ensemble Festival, Lexie made the judges turn their heads and drop their jaws after learning she had only been playing for 18 months. She also earned three “Superior” ratings, the highest possible rating!

Band has had a significant impact on her life. Previously, Lexie felt as though she did not have something she excelled in. Now she wants to bring the feeling of belonging, excellence, and musicality to others. She’ll do this by being a band director in the future. 

Bringing healing through music

Your support has allowed students to blow through barriers and excel in their instruments. They are not only delighting our Cookson Hills community but are also impressing area band directors and peers from other schools. Learning and playing music of all genres has therapeutic benefits for all musicians, especially those affected by trauma. Your gifts help calm the nervous system, give a creative outlet, and create a safe way for kids to express emotions. Resulting in a ripple effect impact for generations to come. 

band, music education, drumline, Pep band
Because you have provided us a music program, Eli is able to play in the Pep band at home volleyball and basketball games.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Lauren Hard is the Impact Coordinator at Cookson Hills. Music has always been a part of her life and she knows the gift that it is and the value it has in healing. You will often find her humming a tune or writing silly lyrics as her life is quite the musical. She is one of the biggest fans of the Cookson Hills music department and is always pumped to hear the pieces that the kids have been working on.