Daughters of the American Revolution recently helped purchase 49 instruments for youths as $15,000 was awarded to Rosie’s House that offers free music lessons to more than 500 economically disadvantaged children statewide. 

Private donations from the Arizona Daughters of the American Revolution, combined with funding from the “Special Grants Program” of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, totaling $15,000, was awarded to Rosie’s House: A Music Academy for Children in Phoenix.

The academy provides more than 19,000 free music lessons each year for low income students, ages 5 to 18, and presents more than 60 concerts annually, plus loan more than 300 instruments to students, according to a press release.

For the current 2019-2020 school year, 512 students were enrolled in the music program. Rosie’s House has used the newly-acquired funds, to purchase 49 new instruments, repair donated instruments and purchase instrument accessories such as violin chin rests and reeds for wind instruments.

The piano program at Rosie’s House was also expanded with the purchase of new keyboards for students. Creative positive change is made through music education as students gain self-confidence, learn goal setting, team-work and creative thinking, the release said.

Skills learned while practicing and playing musical instruments impacts every aspect of Rosie’s House students’ lives as they learn to reach their full potential with about 97% of them attending college, the release said.

The Daughters of the American Revolution, a non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization  of woman, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background who can prove their lineage is eligible to joinhas more than 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters worldwide. 

For information: arizonadar.org.