PING! (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation)

25 years of Impact

August 2023

Long-term PING! Students

Showcase Potential

PING! is celebrating 25 years! The impact we have on young musicians is most apparent when we talk with students who have been with PING! from 4^th through 12^th grade. These students have found such joy in being involved in music, have gained incredible confidence, and have made great strides academically, too, with all four recent PING! graduates starting college this fall. They are going to Illinois State University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, and Harvard.

It is thanks to PING! donors that we can offer robust programming from elementary through high school to encourage young musicians to stay in music, and have opportunities to achieve at their highest potential, including such things as playing multiple instruments and working with younger PING! musicians. And PING! graduates are eligible for $1,000 awards from the Donna D'Oro Anderson Fund for Lifelong Music along with being able to keep their instruments. Here are the stories of the Class of 2023.

Heidi

Heidi describes playing the cello as an important form of self-care. Orchestra class during the school day became a respite; she found her closest friends among those she consistently saw in orchestra; and found daily practice to be a welcome break from homework and other responsibilities.

How has music IMPACTED you or someone special in your life?

Send us a note here (subject line: Impact) for use in a 25th anniversary project. We may also share it on our website.

Zakiyah

Zakiyah noticed something early in her musical journey and wanted to take action. When she was in middle school orchestra, she could not move up from playing second violin. But, one summer, that changed when she was given the first violin part when she attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp with the help of PING!.

“During my down time, I would practice until I got everything perfect,” Zakiyah said. Attending camp had a big impact overall on Zakiyah, too. “It improved my sight-reading skills, my knowledge of music theory, my posture, and my overall confidence,” she explained.

“I love how people can express themselves in an abundance of ways with music and there are endless possibilities.”

Christina,

PING! Class of 2023

Christina

Christina (pictured at top, right) has harnessed the spirit of giving back as a PING! mentor. She also recently attended the OPRF High School spring break trip to Memphis and New Orleans with the help of PING!, where she performed, visited historic sites, and explored with her peers.

Krissy

Krissy has the ultimate story of pushing herself to the next level. Starting as a saxophone player, she participated in PING! Mentoring as a middle schooler. It was there that she was encouraged to push herself out of her comfort zone. She joined Marching Band in high school and soon tried out for section leader and succeeded. From there, she pushed herself to try for drum major, and succeeded again, this time in a leadership role as Drum Major of a very large, award-winning marching band. PING! helped send her to Drum Major Camp to prepare her further for this role.

Krissy is a self-starter, learning music theory on her own during the pandemic shut down and teaching herself to play the flute, which PING! provided. Flute became her school band instrument, but she also learned piano and trombone earlier in her music studies.

“Music gave me a way to express myself and further encouraged me to do greater things,” Krissy said.