Music Matters: Hudson Valley Kids Receive Instruments

David Cole patiently watched his band classmates learn the positions of their trombones the first weeks of school.

When his arrived to Arthur S. May Elementary School in October, the third-grader knew exactly how to hold it. And with a few encouraging reminders from his teacher, Arlington School District Band Director Lisa Stach-Fraitag, he minded the slide, puffed his cheeks and blew three notes.

David received his trombone through the inaugural Music Matters program.

Children deserve to pursue a musical education. For many Hudson Valley families, the cost of an instrument proves a barrier to entry.

Music Matters provides instruments to Hudson Valley students who otherwise couldn't afford them. Townsquare Media of the Hudson Valley partnered with Paul Effman Music, Barcone's Music and Magic Moose Records to launch the program in the fall.

Townsquare and the program's sponsors reviewed the dozens of nominations Music Matters received to determine which requests showed a demonstrable need and could be fulfilled. David's nomination came from his mother, Crystal Kaba. An instrument wasn't something the family could afford this school year as they recovered from a burglary. She was grateful when she learned David was selected to receive a trombone.

"After I hung up the phone, I cried," Kaba said. "I wasn't able to do it for him, so it was something that meant a lot to me that he got it."