If that wasn’t enough, we have lots of new instruments! We are pleased that there have been many instruments donated to support the musical instruction for our students, both scholarship students and Instituto students. These instruments have come to us through the generous donations of a few incredible groups and people: The Friendship Club, Michael Holdsworth, Don Moline and Kevin Shanley.
The International Friendship Club (IFC) has been providing solid support to the IAMPV since our inception, and we are grateful for their ongoing help. The IFC has been supporting charitable activities in Puerto Vallarta for decades, and are vital for the health and well being of our wonderful city.
Michael Holdsworth, who plays in the clarinet section of the orchestra, is a retired educator who has been canvassing schools in Canada for instruments that are no longer being used. His background has given him extensive contacts with teachers and schools. In addition to the many instruments he has rounded up for us, he has found us a drum set and timpani set that will be coming to us in June of 2020. Most of you know that a timpani set is one of the most expensive components for our orchestra and the most difficult to obtain. Thank you, Michael.
Lastly, and very importantly this brings us to Don Moline and his friend Kevin Shanley. For over two years, Don Moline has given IAMPV his time and talents to help raise money and to teach the kids. Now, he has gone further and with his friend, Kevin, they have raised more than $10,000 USD through a GoFundMe campaign.
These funds were applied to more new instrument purchases and support for student scholarships. This was a monumental fund raising event and we cannot thank them enough. They have set up an ongoing network of donors in Chicago and continue to introduce our organization to donors and fans. This generosity is an ongoing gift that will help to secure the future of IAMPV. We cannot begin to thank these gentlemen for their support. Already, these new instruments are being put to great use. They are allowing us to expand our class offerings at our new school and they are the foundation of our new scholarship program in Paso Ancho.
Daniel was invited to look at a school in Paso Ancho, where they desperately needed a music program, but did not have the funds to make it a reality. The Board decided that we would rise to the challenge and create a program focused on string instruments. One day after posting the sign-up sheet for music classes, we had 27 applications. Wow. The students have been thrilled with their new instruments and all is going extremely well. Soon, we plan to expand the lessons to incorporate a traditional Mexican folk music educational program.
Training new musicians not only gives them a wonderful gift that will be with them for life, it is also essential for the health of the orchestra. These programs provide us with future concert musicians. We are so proud to have an orchestra that reflects the diversity of our beloved Puerto Vallarta. The orchestra is profoundly enriched by the young adults that join us in our endeavor to bring classical music to Puerto Vallarta.
