Lewiston Public Schools leaders on Monday credited a pair of grants and local donor support for a rapid expansion of elementary band and strings programs across the district.

District staff told the school committee they used roughly $131,000 in Title IV (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) funds this school year to buy instruments, stands, storage and repair supplies so more elementary students could participate. The district also received a $16,500 award from the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation adopt‑a‑school program; staff said that award translated to nearly $22,000 worth of instruments because the foundation secures deep discounts from manufacturers.

The Title IV-funded purchases included violins, violas, cellos, basses, chin rests, instrument racks and repair parts for strings, and clarinets, flutes, trumpets, tubas, saxophones, trombones, cymbals and related supplies for band. District staff said those purchases were intended to remove rental and cost barriers that had kept some students from joining music programs.

Tiffany (staff member) and district staff reported preliminary outcomes: a 108% increase in the number of students playing a band instrument and an 85% increase in students playing string instruments this year compared with the prior year. Staff also said parent attendance at school concerts increased.

Montello Elementary secured the Mr. Holland's Opus adopt‑a‑school award after staff applied and matched some local fundraising; Montello plans to use the Opus instruments (including a set of Orff instruments and a 29‑inch timpani) to strengthen early‑elementary ensemble experiences that staff said help students transition into middle‑school band and orchestra.

District staff said the Title IV funding paid for the major initial purchases and that future work will focus on repair and maintenance, and on adding instruments as demand grows. Staff asked community members to donate instruments in good working order and noted the Lewiston Youth Activity Fund provided substantial local support to fully fund the Opus campaign at Montello.

No formal committee vote was required for the update. Staff said they will continue to use grant and donor funds for maintenance and will discuss sustaining the program through smaller future grants and instrument donations.

District staff urged committee members and the public to attend upcoming instrument concerts to see the student outcomes, and to contact Zach Lampron (music staff) or the district to donate instruments or to volunteer.

Why it matters: district leaders said expanding in‑school access to instruments removes a cost barrier that had limited participation, and they presented early data showing substantially higher student engagement in band and strings across elementary schools.

What's next: staff said maintenance and repair budgets will be prioritized, additional grant applications may be pursued, and Montello and other schools will integrate the new instruments into regular instruction and after‑school ensembles.