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Musical Hope: 15 instruments by Aug.
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · February 04, 2016
In the shortest sense, Hannah’s Musical Hope exists to funnel donated instruments to students who cannot afford one.
The founder, Hannah Kerchner, passionate about music and fine arts, wants everyone to experience music.
But to stop there one would miss the scope of Kerchner’s efforts because this 16-year-old sophomore did her homework:
She’s in business.
Kerchner started a non-profit with a board of directors. She found help. She markets. She invests. She networks.
She’s serious.
“I want to make sure people could still be in band, no matter what,” Kerchner said. “Music is kind of what runs my life and makes me happy.”
So far, the organization collected 10 instruments, mostly clarinets, as well as a saxophone, a trombone and a flute. Their goal is 15 before the start of the 2016-17 school year.
“I think that Hannah’s Musical Hope has identified a real need and issue for many students and music teachers in band and orchestra programs,” West Branch High School music teacher Lisa Schrock said, “not only in Iowa, but around the country.”
The group also raised about $1,000 through a GoFundMe page and set up a special bank account. Come August, families needing instruments can attend band night to see what Hannah’s Musical Hope has available. Instruments are delivered by mail or personally.
Schrock said there “will always be a need for donated instruments.”
“Many fine arts teachers would agree there is never enough money in the state budget allocated for the arts in order to fully support all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status,” Schrock said. “In West Branch, we have many students who choose to rent from the school instead of buying their own instruments, especially for the more expensive instruments like tubas, trombones and all percussion equipment.”
Research shows that students who play musical instruments score better on tests, do better in school, she said. Studies show it improves function and cognitive ability. Albert Einstein may have benefited from starting the violin at age 6. Schrock said common band instruments are more popular than string instruments.
Since founding Hannah’s Musical Hope in June, Kerchner picked up a couple of friends to help: CeCe Bonilla and John Muckler. Both also sophomores, John and CeCe help with marketing and strategy. They’re on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and they have their own Web page, hannahsmusicalhope.com. Posters hang in the West Branch Public Library, her school and local businesses.
Hannah, a trumpet player since sixth grade, formed a board of directors that includes her parents — Steven and Angela Kerchner — West Branch Middle School English teacher and trumpet player Jim Calkins, and Schrock.
“When Hannah first approached me with her idea, I thought she was simply sharing her ideas about what she might do after taking business classes in college,” Schrock said. “I have been extremely impressed by her diligence and commitment to starting this nonprofit.”
Schrock said Hannah’s efforts likely stem from her habits.
“Hannah is an exceptional student, learner and businesswoman,” the teacher said. “I can’t wait to see how many students and programs are positively affected by Hannah’s Musical Hope and what Hannah herself will end up doing.”
Kerchner said experience shows that schools facing budget cuts may curtail fine arts funding. West Branch Community Schools is facing a $350,000 budget shortfall but neither the Board of Education nor the administration has mentioned cutting fine arts.
Also trained on trombone and piano, she is involved in concert band, jazz band and show choir band, and also runs the 1500-meter run in track.
Yet she found time to spend a week attending CEO Space business classes in Las Vegas last June and went again in December. She and the board are pursuing 501(c)(3) non-profit status, allowing donors the paperwork for tax write-offs. They also found an attorney to make sure the group gets properly certified.
“I want to share my passion with the world,” Hannah said.
The money collected helps pay legal fees for certification, Kerchner said, and what’s left will help repair or refurbish donated instruments, or help buy more.
Abundant instruments may be sold off or exchanged for different ones, she said.
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