Music reduces anxiety, decreases emotional pain, lowers blood pressure, increases better sleep, increases mood, mental alertness, and increases MEMORY! What’s not to love and support? (Thank you Cyndia for the comment about that).

I’ve personally seen people find their spark in music. After they learn how to play an instrument they seem to do A LOT better in school as a whole. After COVID - 19 school was absolutely ruined. Students are constantly distracted and instruments can help students stay on track. 
According to a large-scale study in British Columbia, there appears to be a link between academic performance and playing music. (Welfourm)

As a student, I have personally experienced the frustration of trying to learn and perform with substandard, outdated band equipment. My instrument vibrates weirdly and is rusty. This is not an isolated incident. Many students in band/orchestra classes who rent from the school constantly report problems with their equipment. It’s out of date and most of the time, it’s practically non-functional.

My teacher is constantly concerned about problems with the timpani and how it won’t tune correctly. The drum set constantly brakes and cymbals will fall directly on to the floor. The majority of the equipment hasn’t been taken into a shop in the last ten years. Some equipment hasn’t been updated/replaced since the opening of the school (~30 yrs).

The importance of music education cannot be overstated - it boosts cognitive skills, improves mathematical ability, enhances coordination and fosters teamwork among students (National Association for Music Education). However, these benefits are undermined when students are forced to use dysfunctional, outdated instruments.

Example of one of the instruments in our band room, ~30 yr old trumpet that is broken in half

Oregon schools must prioritize providing up-to-date band and orchestra equipment to ensure that all students have equal opportunity to reap the benefits of music education. The state's budget for education should reflect this need. 

We call on Oregon's Department of Education to mandate that all schools within its jurisdiction maintain up-to-date band and orchestra equipment. Let us provide the students with quality music education they deserve by giving them functional instruments that can help them reach their full potential.

Please sign this petition if you believe in quality music education for all Oregon students!

PLEASE NOTE: DONATIONS DO NOT GO TO BANDS/ORCHESTRAS, THEY GO TO MORE PETITION VIEWS.