News Summary
A guitar donation drive led by a local teacher aims to enhance music education at Asheville Middle School. The initiative, which collects instruments for students, has already received over 25 guitars and expanded to include all grades and various instruments. The program supports student engagement through hands-on music practice during lunch and encourages creativity and self-expression, especially for those lacking access to music education.
Asheville – A guitar donation drive has been launched at Asheville Middle School by Joe Hooten, an eighth-grade social studies teacher and local musician, to enhance music education among students. The initiative seeks to provide free musical instruments to students, aiming to foster confidence, identity, and joy through music.
The guitar donation drive was inspired by Hooten’s long-standing passion for music education, which began when he kept inexpensive guitars in his classroom for students to play. He noticed how students engaged and enjoyed their time with the instruments, leading him to expand this effort into a formal initiative. Hooten, who is also a member of local bands Tin Roof Echo and PINKEYE, has previously organized aid efforts following Tropical Storm Helene and has now turned his attention to promoting music in schools.
The program has already seen significant success, with over 25 guitars collected and distributed. Hooten’s goal is to reach a total of 50 instruments. He has made a public appeal for donated guitars, emphasizing that even scratched or out-of-tune instruments can be transformative for students who may not have access to music otherwise. Currently, donations can be delivered to the front office of Asheville Middle School from Monday to Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Originally focused on eighth graders, the initiative has expanded to include all grades at Asheville Middle School, thereby increasing the number of students who can benefit. Hooten is now accepting additional instruments such as keyboards and drums, broadening the program’s appeal and potential impact. Recently, the Alamance-Burlington School System supported the effort by donating 30 violins, further enriching the opportunity for students to engage with music.
Students have responded enthusiastically to the program. Many exhibit excitement as they receive their instruments, with some even asking to keep them. Hooten has also created a “lunch bunch” initiative, where students can practice music during lunch, effectively serving as an informal substitute for music lessons. This hands-on experience has spurred interest in a variety of music genres, with students eager to learn both contemporary pop songs as well as classic hits.
Hooten believes that learning music not only boosts students’ self-confidence but may also ignite a lifelong passion for musical endeavors. The drive for donations is open to all playable or repairable acoustic or electric guitars, as well as various other instruments that could help enrich students’ learning experiences.
To facilitate this donation drive, Hooten can be reached via email for those interested in supporting the cause or for inquiries related to the drive. The program emphasizes accessibility, aiming to create an inclusive environment for all students, particularly those who may not have the means to participate in music education otherwise.
Through efforts like Hooten’s guitar donation drive, Asheville Middle School is working towards a community where music education is a vital part of the student experience, promoting creativity, self-expression, and personal growth among its students.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Asheville Teacher Collects Instruments for Students
Asheville Teacher Seeks Musical Instrument Donations
Swannanoa Hosts Musical Instrument Giveaway for Storm Victims
Additional Resources
- Mountain X: Guitar Drive Puts Music in the Hands of Asheville Middle School Students
- QC News: This is My Therapy – 1000 Free Musical Instruments Help Hurricane Helene Survivors
- Rolling Stone: Asheville Floods Music Community Cleanup Benefits
- Google Search: Music Education Programs
- Wikipedia: Music Education
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
