The Larkspur-Corte Madera School District has received a generous donation of $100,000 to enhance its music program, specifically aimed at providing instruments to students in grades five through eight. This contribution will allow over 100 instruments to be loaned to students, ensuring they have access to the tools necessary for musical education.
The initiative stemmed from the efforts of parent Geoffrey Barnard, a member of the Mountain View De Anza Masonic Lodge. Barnard was inspired to give back after witnessing his son’s enjoyment in making box guitars during a class at Cove Elementary School. He reached out to Jaime Heaps, executive director of the Spark Foundation, which supports enrichment programs in the district. Heaps noted that many families struggle to afford instruments or the average $500 rental fee for additional instruments at home.
As a result of this donation, students at Cove School, Neil Cummins Elementary School, and Hall Middle School began receiving their own instruments at the start of the school year in August 2025. The donation marks a significant change for the district, which had previously required students to check out instruments nightly for practice.
“Music has a profound impact on all of us, and I am grateful for the positive influence our schools and teachers have on students every day,” Barnard stated. “It is an honor to contribute to the district’s efforts to build an outstanding music program that will inspire and benefit students across all three schools for years to come.”
The impact of the donation is already being felt in the classroom. Jeff Derby, the band teacher at Hall Middle School, expressed his gratitude, saying, “They ensure that every student has access to a quality instrument, allowing us to strengthen our ensembles and provide the best possible music experience.”
Students in Derby’s sixth-grade band class have expressed their enthusiasm for the opportunity. Max Farrow, an 11-year-old trombone player, said, “I feel like I like it more this year. There were a lot more trombones last year. Now I get more undivided attention, so I can see where I’m good and what I need to work on.”
Similarly, Sydney Lewis, who plays the flute, shared her appreciation for the new instruments. “I really like Mr. Derby, and I like playing songs on my flute,” she remarked. Another student, Romo Alvarado, described band as a “fun experience,” highlighting the appeal of the flute’s sound.
Derby, who is in his 20th year of teaching music in the district, manages a band program that includes 160 students, with 120 playing instruments. While students typically choose between band and general music classes, competition for elective spots increases in the higher grades where Spanish, arts, and STEM classes come into play.
Spark Foundation, which already funds the salaries of the district’s two music teachers, has a budget of $1.2 million that supports various enrichment programs, including art, counseling, and wellness initiatives. According to Heaps, the addition of 100 musical instruments was previously out of reach due to budget constraints.
“This was totally unexpected,” Heaps commented, noting the significance of the donation. “Larkspur-Corte Madera is a very small district; money is tight—there’s not a lot of extra to go around. What we fund at Spark is what we consider kind of the bare bones of what students deserve.”
The donation ultimately allows every fifth through eighth grader in the district the chance to engage with music, fostering creativity and collaboration among students. This opportunity to experience the joy of making music is a welcome enhancement to the educational landscape of the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District.
