Photo Credit: WIVB.com.
Kenmore East music student Sam Speciale has been using a 1950’s style jazz trombone that’s much older than most of the staff at his high school.
The 17-year-old senior was in desperate need of a modern, new trombone with a symphonic horn, an extra rotor valve, and deeper sound, for college next year. His more than 60-year old trombone, which he rents for 30-dollars per year, is not sufficient for playing at the college level.
Little did Speciale know that he will in fact be heading to college next year with a brand new trombone thanks to one the world’s best know rock, rap, and country crossover musicians.
Prior to “Kid Rock’s concert at the Town Ballroom on Sunday, November 20th, 2011, the Detroit born rocker held a press conference where he donated a $5,000 music scholarship to three Kenmore East High School students, including Speciale, through the Music is Art program. Proceeds from his current concert tour are being donated through the “Kid Rock Foundation.”
Speciale along with Kenmore East High School music students Richard Gavadin and Brendon Grabowski, will split the $5,000 music scholarship. Speciale will receive a brand new trombone. The remaining funds will be split so the three can receive private lessons from a musical professional.
“I’m a high school student. I can’t afford a new trombone. There’s no way I can use the one I have now at college. I’m thrilled with getting a new instrument. What Kid Rock is doing, donating money from all his concerts to students who want to be as famous as he is, is just great,” added Speciale.
“It was a thrill for our students just to be able to meet a globally known rock legend. It is even greater that they can become better musicians thanks to Kid Rock’s generosity,” said Kenmore East High School Band Director and Music Teacher Phil Aguglia.
Read the full article at WIVB.com.
Comments