Coveted Trumpet Awarded to Edmonds Schools 10th Grader Kaelyn Stanton

The 2013 Pelland Trumpet has been awarded to Kaelyn Stanton, a tenth grader at Lynnwood High School.  She is the daughter of Jill and Eric Stanton of Lynnwood.  The award recognizes exceptional talent in a young trumpet player and was presented this week at the Rotary Club of Edmonds. 

The Pelland Trumpet is a performance-level a Bach Stradivarius instrument donated to the Music4Life™ program by Micaela Pelland of Lake Forest Park, WA.  The recipient is selected annually by secondary school music teachers in Edmonds Public Schools on the basis of talent and long-term interest in studying music.  This is the second annual award. 

Kaelyn is a member of in the Lynnwood High School Band.  She will have use of the Pelland Trumpet for the 2013-14 school year.  It will be re-acquired by the Music4Life organization next spring for any repairs and other maintenance that are needed over the summer. Music teachers in Edmonds Schools will select the following year’s recipient next fall.  Kaelyn will be eligible to receive it again at that time as long as she is enrolled in Edmonds Public Schools.

Music4Life acquires musical instruments, gets them repaired if needed, and provides them free of charge to participating public school districts for use by elementary-aged students of low income families.  The Pelland Trumpet is awarded to a deserving high school student regardless of family income.  The Edmonds Music4Life program was created by the school board this spring and is sponsored in-part by Rotary clubs in the area.   “You don’t have to be a Rotarian to support Music4Life,” says Chair/CEO David Endicott.  “All that’s necessary is that you understand the unique value that instrumental music plays in the life and total education of a child.”

“Kaelyn is a member of both our top Honor's-level wind ensemble and our top jazz ensemble at Lynnwood High School,” says Lynnwood Band Director Phil Onishi.  “We very much appreciate the opportunity to participate in the Edmonds Music4Life program.” 

Besides Edmonds Schools, Music4Life also operates programs supporting Seattle, Highline and Shoreline Public Schools.  The program acquires used instruments from the garages or attics of adults who understand that their highest and best use is to put them back into play. With adequate resources, Music4Life can also buy new musical instruments for school districts.

Currently, 38 percent of all fifth and sixth grade students in Edmonds Public Schools who participate in instrumental music programs are income-eligible. The Edmonds Music4Life™ initiative intends to start-off assisting at least half that number.