Dr. Benjamin YatesӰר trombone isnӰרt the only instrument heӰרll take to the Dominican Republic when he travels to the Caribbean nation to perform with professional orchestras.
The assistant professor in the at the Ӱר plans to bring flutes, clarinets, saxophones, bassoons, oboes, trumpets, horns, violins, and other band instruments.
Yates needs help packing, though.
HeӰרs seeking donated instruments Ӱר working instruments or those needing minor repairs Ӱר that will be passed on to student musicians in cities such as Santiago, La Vega, San Pedro de Macorís and Santo Domingo.
ӰרMaybe you have a family member who started in band in fifth grade then dropped out on high school. Or, youӰרve got an old instrument thatӰרs been sitting in the attic forever that you donӰרt know what to do with. Whatever it may be, I can find a home for it,Ӱר Yates said.
HeӰרs helping two professors from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa Ӱר Tony Guzman and Michael K. Smith Ӱר coordinate the donations. Yates studied under Guzman and Smith at the college, where he earned a bachelor's degree in music education and trombone performance in 2008.
The Dominican Trombonists Association invited the trio to be featured artists and clinicians at its 2021 conference from Aug. 4-8. TheyӰרll play with the Moca Youth Concert Band and the La Vega Youth Symphony Orchestra and teach a master class
TheyӰרll also visit several community ensembles, groups of amateurs ranging from schoolchildren to adults that donӰרt receive funding from school systems or governments. TheyӰרll provide instruction to the ensembles, and instruments for the students.
ӰרItӰרs inconceivable to some of us, but many players in these ensembles donӰרt have the money to repair or replace instruments, so many of them are left with instruments that barely work,Ӱר Yates explained.
ItӰרs a dynamic heӰרs seen firsthand. During a previous visit to the Dominican Republic, Yates Ӱרwatched someone play a trombone that had a water key missing from the end of the slide. They plugged the hole with a piece of gum and wrapped some tape around it.Ӱר
The educators have also established a with a $2,500 goal to cover repairs needed for donated instruments and shipping costs. Any money left over will be used to purchase Ӱרmoderately-priced used instruments that are in working conditionӰר from outlets such as eBay, Yates explained.
For more information about the project, where to bring instruments or how to donate, contact Yates at benjamin.yates@louisiana.edu or (337) 482-5219.
Photo caption: The ӰרӰרs Dr. Benjamin Yates is seeking donated musical instruments he will pass on to students in the Dominican Republic. Yates, an assistant professor and trombonist, will perform with professional orchestras in the Caribbean nation in August. Photo credit: Ӱר