Vanessa Bolano - E-Mail Vanessa - Vanessa's Blog ABC26 News

September 21, 2010
IRISH CHANNEL—
Growing up in the Crescent City it's not surprising to find musically inclined students, but to be surprised with $25,000 worth of shiny new brass, now that's surprising! ABC26 News Reporter Vanessa Bolano explains.

Music filled the hallways at Batiste Cultural Arts Academy at Live Oak Tuesday morning. Educators say the new charter school used to be one of the lowest performing schools in the city, but they've put high hopes on New Orleans musical icons, the Batiste family, and Fidelity Investments is supporting their effort, giving the school $25,000 worth of new instruments.

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The money translates into 23 instruments, plus accessories. Some students say the instruments will help them get into college.

8th grader Crashab says, "It's going to get me somewhere important like college. I am in the band because I want to go to Southern University and be in college. That's my way into college."

7th grader Audrey says, "I want to go to Juilliard. It's a musical school and that's my goal."

Band Director Paul Batiste believes children who perform in the arts are more confident, and do better on standardized tests. "Bottom line is standardized tests, number 2 will be marching the first ever marching band in a parade within 6 months, a huge task. I don't know if we can do it!"

It's the immediate goal around here, to see the students march during Carnival Season, and with more instruments, fingers are crossed that the goal could become a reality.

"We only have two french horns and some people didn't get to play french horn, now we have like six of them," says Audrey.

The new instruments were given to Batiste Cultural Arts Academy as part of their future Fidelity's FutureStage arts education program.