Play It Forward
STLSound Magazine
STLSound Magazine - for three years, STLSound Magazine produced a high quality and trendy resource for local, live music. As the only publication dedicated to the live music scene, STLSound's full color, glossy booklets provided monthly schedules of local bands (including all genres from acoustic to zydeco), music schedules for local venues, articles on musicians and aspects of the local music scene and information on CD releases and music events in the St. Louis area. The magazine continued to grow in pages and reputation and, during its time in print, was the only publication whose focus remained solely on St. Louis' vibrant live music community.
As media representatives of the live music community in St. Louis, STLSound Magazine found an immediate need for assistance in funding for several schools and lower income homes unable to provide instruments for children interested in learning music. With an ever-growing concern for music programs in our public schools, STLSound Magazine’s publishers formed the John V. Rudebeck Memorial
Foundation and founded the “Play It Forward” Program.
“In every successful business…there is one budget line that never gets cut. It’s called ‘Product Development’ – and it’s the key to any company’s future growth. Music education is critical to the product development of this nation’s most important resource – our children.”
- John Sykes, President, VH1
Play It Forward
The John V. Rudebeck Memorial Foundation is a non-for-profit organization established with the belief that no child should be denied his or her musical voice.
As a community it is our responsibility and obligation to ensure these kids have every chance to explore their musical passion. The John V. Rudebeck Foundation's mission is to provide musical instruments and tutelage to children whose parents
(or guardians) and schools are unable to incur the costs associated with musical education. Through the foundation, with the help of our "Play It Forward"
Program, we aim to provide instruments, instrument accessories, sheet music and lessons, as well as opportunities to perform, for children in grade schools and high schools in the St. Louis area.
The need for additional assistance for music programs in the public education program is vast. The following page holds a testimonial letter written by Lori Scissors, the music specialist at Wyland Elementary in the Ritenour School District.
Testimonial Letter
Wyland Elementary School is located in Overland, Missouri, and is part of the Ritenour School District. The student population of Wyland Elementary is approximately
480 highly diverse students (5% Asian, 29% Black, 11% Hispanic, .7% Indian, and 53%
White). 63% of Wyland Elementary students qualify for free and reduced lunches. Most
Wyland families are of lower and lower middle class economic status. The rich cultural diversity represented by the student population of Wyland Elementary provides a fertile atmosphere for learning. Students come to Wyland with many varying musical traditions, but with few opportunities to develop and expand those traditions. For most Wyland students, school is the only opportunity they have for organized music making and learning.
Enthusiasm for music making and learning at Wyland Elementary School is high on the part of students, and the surrounding community is appreciative of our efforts. The
Ritenour School District is supportive of the arts in general, but they are similar to many other smaller districts with limited financial resources; the dollars have to be stretched among a wide variety of programs. While I am appreciative of what the Ritenour School
District is able to provide, it really does not meet the needs and the potential of our diverse enthusiastic music makers. Our students have a very solid foundation in singing and moving, but lack the critical experiences of classroom instrumental music such as those exemplified by Carl Orff’s philosophy.
For most Wyland students, music is a haven from the federal mandates of increased achievement. Although research clearly supports the importance of the role of the arts in increasing academic achievement, Wyland students know it as a place where they can express and celebrate who they are. When I meet students in the halls of Wyland and they ask “Do we get to come to Music today?” it tells me what an important part of the school day my classes are. On many occasions I have stated that I feel I have the best job in the world because I get to work with great kids sharing what I love to do best! Wyland is filled with great kids who really deserve the best musical experiences possible. Any effort to help students at Wyland is a sound investment in the future!
Lori Scissors
Wyland Elementary Music Specialist
Ritenour School District