'Let The Beat Go On'

Julia Moss, 12, of Laguna Niguel, is a seventh grade student at Don Juan Avila Middle School who recently embarked on doing a good deed.

“I am doing a Mitzvah project in preparation for my Bat Mitzvah, which is becoming an adult in the Jewish religion next September,” she said. “As you may be aware, the ACLU won a lawsuit against the state of California, which resulted in the enforcement of the rule that all public school activities must be free to their students. This affects the music programs because they are now required to offer a free instrument to every student who wishes to participate in band or orchestra.”

Limited Funding

She said with the limited funds of the schools, this has proved a difficult requirement to meet, putting the programs at risk if they do not adhere to these rules.

As part of her project, which she has named "Let the Beat Go On," she is trying to get the word out that she is collecting used instruments from local families to donate to schools exclusively in the Capistrano Unified School District. Those who donate can designate which school they wish the instrument to go. If not, depending on how many she collects, she will donate them first to the elementary schools because this is the first place many musicians start learning to play, she said.

Brainstorm

Moss, who plays piano and viola, said the idea started thanks to her cousin who had done a similar project in Boston.

“With the new rules taking effect this year as a result of the ACLU lawsuit, I thought it would be a good idea for me to do this specifically for my own public school district, since they gave me the opportunity to learn the viola in fourth grade. I wanted other musical students to get the chance to start as young as I did through their school,” she said.

Overall, she is doing the project on her own with some help from her mother.

“I contact various community leaders to help me get the word out. I arrange the times to pick up the instruments with help from my mom to drive me,” she said.

To date, she has received 15 instruments and two music stands.

“Ultimately, I want to make as large an impact as I can. I am collecting until September, and I am hoping to get as many as possible. I guess 30 would be a good number,” she said.

Lots of Support

She has the backing so far from many in the community.

“My music teachers, the principal at my school, my friends and the people at my school district have been especially supportive and appreciative of my project,” she said.

And while she has some experience in previous community outreach, Moss is super excited about Let the Beat Go On.

“Although I've been involved in helping with other people's community service projects in the past, this is the first time I have been in the position of creating and organizing my own, and the responsibility of a Mitzvah project has driven me to do so. This feels like a very adult thing to do, which I think is part of why the temple asks me to do this in preparation for my Bat Mitzvah. I am becoming a young adult in the Jewish religion and with that come the obligation to do good deeds for my community.”

Keeping The Arts Alive

Moss added that it is important for her to keep the arts alive for herself, as well as the educational community.

“I started piano in second grade, and I knew that I loved music. When I was given the opportunity from my school to learn to play another instrument in fourth grade, I took it. Over time, not only has orchestra helped me with my music, but it has connected me with some great friends and taught me how to work together with a group to play music. Also, I think it is different from all the other subjects, which makes it fun.

"It is important to the schools because every time they lose money, there is a higher risk of losing the music program," she continued. "I am grateful that they have continued, and I am hopeful that my 'Let the Beat Go On' project will help them to keep going. Some of the most talented musicians may have never even picked up an instrument if it wasn't offered to them through their public school. This is why this is so important.”

Collecting instruments is only part of her project, she reminded. In addition to she is part of a group of young musicians that performs at Mission Hospital for patients and with a group that plays for senior citizens at various assisted living communities.