RAPID CITY, S.D. – North Middle School in Rapid City has received a donation of new musical instruments valued at more than $21,000 from the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting music education.

The gift to the Rapid City Area Schools program will give students access to quality equipment and support ongoing music education initiatives in the Rapid City community.

“This donation will have an immediate and lasting impact on our students,” Shane Bradford, band teacher at North Middle School, said. “Having access to quality instruments gives more students the opportunity to participate in our music program, develop their talents and experience the confidence and sense of accomplishment that come from making music. We are incredibly grateful to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation for investing in our students and helping us build a stronger music program for years to come.”

Research shows that participation in school music programs supports improved academic performance, higher attendance rates, enhanced social-emotional development, and greater overall engagement in school. Music education also promotes creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and self-confidence.

For 30 years, the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation has worked to reduce financial barriers to music education by partnering with school districts, teachers, retailers, manufacturers, and donors. The foundation has supported more than 2,000 music programs nationwide.

“Access to musical instruments can make an enormous difference in a student’s life and every child deserves the opportunity to experience the power of music, regardless of their school’s resources or their family’s financial circumstances,” Tricia Williams, president and CEO of Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, said. “We ensure students have the tools they need to experience the many academic, social and personal benefits of music education. We are grateful for the opportunity to support students in Rapid City and to the teachers who make their music program possible.”

The organization was inspired by the 1995 film “Mr. Holland’s Opus” and founded by Michael Kamen, the Grammy-winning composer who wrote the movie’s score. Over the past three decades, the foundation has donated more than 43,000 instruments valued at nearly $40 million to more than 2,000 schools, reaching over 500,000 students across the country.