Music classrooms across Toledo Public Schools are sounding a little different these days. Students are learning on ukuleles, world drums, Orff percussion instruments, guitars, recorders and digital pianos—all thanks to a growing partnership with Save the Music Foundation.
The national nonprofit, which works to restore and strengthen K-12 music education, has partnered with Toledo Public Schools for the past three years, bringing new instruments, educational resources, and teacher training to elementary schools across the district.
According to Jennifer DeYarman, Senior Director of Multilingual Learner Education, Language Assistance & Unified Arts, the partnership continues to expand each year.
“Save the Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing and restoring K-12 music programs throughout the United States,” DeYarman said. “Save the Music has selected Ohio as one of their regions of focus, and developed a partnership with the Toledo Public School District three years ago.”
This school year, Ottawa River Elementary and Ella P. Stewart Academy for Girls joined the list of grant recipients, helping ensure that every comprehensive high school feeder pattern now includes an elementary school benefiting from the program.
More than new instruments
Each Save the Music Intro to Music Grant provides approximately $35,000 in instruments, curriculum materials, and educational support while also investing in teacher professional development.
For students, that means opportunities to actively make music rather than simply learn about it.
“Receiving instruments, equipment, and resources from Save The Music has strengthened music education across Toledo Public Schools,” DeYarman said. “Receiving diverse musical equipment has expanded students’ exposure to a variety of instruments and musical genres.”
She added that classroom sets of instruments allow every child to participate while new teaching materials and ongoing professional development help elevate music instruction throughout the district.
Building confidence through music
District leaders have seen benefits that extend well beyond music class.
“Expanding access to music education across the district has created noticeable shifts in how students participate, feel, and perform both inside and outside the music classroom,” DeYarman said. “Learning to play an instrument provides immediate feedback, giving students a sense of pride and allowing students to build confidence as they master new songs and techniques.”
She also noted that students develop “improved literacy, spatial reasoning, self-discipline, and teamwork that directly support their broader academic growth.”
One memorable example came from McKinley STEAM Academy Principal Christina Ramsey.
“One of the most memorable transformations we have seen through this program has been the confidence it has given our students,” Ramsey shared. “With the new, high-quality recorders, students immediately heard the difference, gained confidence in their abilities, and ultimately had the opportunity to perform with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.”
Ramsey also described second-grade students creating their own Prairie Symphony, selecting instruments to represent prairie sounds before performing their original work for younger students.
“This experience allowed our students to combine creativity, collaboration, music, and learning in a meaningful and memorable way,” Ramsey said.
Music as a universal language
For DeYarman, whose role includes overseeing multilingual learner education, music provides a powerful way to connect students from diverse backgrounds.
“I see music as an invaluable bridge across language barriers and cultural backgrounds,” she said. “Music is one of the most powerful ways our students connect, especially when they don’t yet share a common spoken language.”
She explained that music classes allow multilingual learners to participate immediately without needing fluent English while also giving students opportunities to share music from their own cultures.
“It turns our district’s diversity into something we actually get to celebrate together, building connections across different cultures.”
Creating new opportunities
The partnership has transformed what students are able to experience in the classroom.
“The partnership with Save The Music has opened doors for our students, moving them from passive learners to confident creators, performers and collaborators,” DeYarman said.
Students now work together in ensembles, explore music from around the world, and begin discovering interests that may lead to future careers in performance, composition, or music education.
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Families and teachers have embraced the changes as well.
“The response from teachers, families, and the broader Toledo community has been overwhelmingly positive,” DeYarman said. Parents have praised recent concerts, while teachers report that students eagerly anticipate music class each week.
The district has also seen increased participation in community partnerships such as the Carnegie Hall Link Up program, where Toledo Public Schools fourth graders perform with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.
Looking ahead
Toledo Public Schools hopes the partnership will continue to grow for years to come.
“Toledo Public Schools looks forward to a long-term partnership with Save The Music for many years to come,” DeYarman said. “Our initial focus remains on expanding the Intro to Music Grant across as many elementary schools as qualify.”
The district also hopes to expand into Save the Music’s secondary education grants, including music technology and high school music programs.
“As these foundational programs grow, we anticipate a steady increase in students continuing with performing arts through high school, enriching both overall enrollment and the creative quality of our high school band, choir, orchestra, and theatrical productions.”
