The Keep the Beat Instrument Drive, a month-long radio event dedicated to advancing music education in Santa Barbara Unified schools, is making its sixth replay, sponsored by 99.9 KTYD and the Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF).

Four students from La Colina Jr. High stand with their musical instruments. (Courtesy photo)
Four students from La Colina Jr. High are among those who benefit from the musical instrument donation program. (Courtesy photo)

The initiative has consistently supported music programs and educators in the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD).

With a successful track record, last year’s campaign saw SBEF raising $10,000 in funding and collecting 60 instruments. This year, the collaborative effort aims to surpass those numbers.

Throughout February, 99.9 KTYD Morning Mojo hosts Lin Aubuchon and Bill Pesso will air interviews and performances featuring current SBUSD music students, educators, and professional musicians whose musical journeys originated in public school music programs.

Among this year’s guests are guitarist Tony Ybarra, Karl Hunter of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and drummer Bucket Baker.

For some 20 years, Keep the Beat has supported music programs and educators in the SBUSD. Since its inception in 2003, the initiative has raised funds to purchase new instruments, facilitate repairs, and compensate specialists and coaches who assist band directors in nurturing young musical talent.

Gently used instruments that are needed most for donation include clarinets, trumpets, saxophones, trombones, flutes, cellos, basses and violins.

Community partners that have have offered to serve as dropoff sites for instrument donations throughout the month are: Nick Rail Music, 2801 De La Vina St., Santa Barbara; Jersey Mike’s, 163 N. Fairview Ave., Goleta; and Raymond Music, 7320 Hollister Ave. #6, Goleta.

Additionally, SBEF will host in-person instrument drop-off events at selected school sites, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. every Friday.

Note that pianos and drum sets cannot be accepted at drop-off locations.

Finding the right instrument can be transformative for students with a love of music. Lucca, a seventh-grade La Cumbre Junior High School student who performed live on-air at the 99.9 KTYD studios during last year’s Instrument Drive, received a donation of her dream guitar.

“My love for music has grown exponentially from receiving such a high-quality instrument. I will love and play this guitar for the rest of my life,” Lucca said. 

In addition to collecting instruments that go directly into students’ hands through Keep The Beat, SBEF aims to raise funds to support the repair and maintenance of instruments students currently use.

Monetary contributions also create musical learning opportunities by paying specialists to work with students in free after-school programs like BRAVO!, and affordable learning opportunities like the Nick Rail Summer Band Camp.

“Keep The Beat represents a collective effort to ensure every student in Santa Barbara Unified has access to high-quality music education,” said Katie Szopa, SBEF programs manager.

“Through instrument donations and financial support, the community can contribute to the growth and enrichment of our students on their musical journey,” she said.

Community members are invited to participate in the initiative through instrument and cash donations or by attending Happy Hour at The Red Piano, 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, in downtown Santa Barbar.a

For more about the Keep the Beat Instrument Drive or to donate, visit KeepTheBeatSB.org.