Adopt-A-Band

Iraqi band photo by D. Hancock.

Ceremonial Band Seating.

Adopt-A-Band Project

Update: Nov. 29, 2010
Update: Oct. 20, 2010
Update: Sept. 14, 2010

Towards the end of my year-long tour in Baghdad, Iraq, I had the rare opportunity to hear the Iraqi Prime Minister's Ceremonial Band at an important Iraqi event. Afterwards, I spoke to the musicians through a translator. The musicians told me their instruments are in poor shape. When I got home, I resolved to try to do something about it by collecting donated instruments and cash to repair them before shipping the instruments to Baghdad in September.

This project has received press coverage in recent weeks by the Huntsville Times (2 July), the Redstone Rocket (21 July)(see link below), the Warrior magazine (Army Reserve Magazine, Fall issue), The Sentinel, the TN Valley's Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (Aug issue), and I was interviewed by Boston's National Public Radio,WBUR, Here and Now on 27 July, 2010. (see link below) (The interview is available on-line through their archives - see "Here and Now" past programs.)

Request for Funds and Instruments

Corporate financial donations are needed for musical instrument repair, purchase of used instruments in good condition, and shipment of the instruments, no easy task. The instruments are being donated by Americans all over the country who are hearing about the project to benefit the Premier Iraqi Military Musicians in Baghdad, Iraq. Some of the larger instruments that have not been donated have to be purchased second-hand. For example, a used French Horn can range between $500 and $1,000 or more. A used Tuba can cost $4,000.

Acquired	Needed
1 Piccolo 4 Flutes 13 Clarinets 1 Oboe 1 Eb Clarinet 1 Bassoon 1 Alto Saxophone 2 Tenor Saxophones 3 Trumpets 3 Cornets 5 Trombones 2 Snare Drums Drumsticks Valve Oil	2 French Horns (double) ** 2 Tubas * 2 Euphoniums * 2 Bass Trombones * Reeds Cork Grease * = Unlikely to Acquire ** = Still Hopeful!

Your organization will receive a tax receipt for your records from New Market UMC. Please make your check out to NMUMC with "Adopt-a-Band" annotated in the lower left corner.

Mail to: Adopt-a-Band
c/o Cheryl McAuley
P.O. Box 441
New Market, AL 35761

Thank you for your interest in the Adopt-A-Band project for the Iraqi Ceremonial Band in Baghdad, Iraq. This is a unique way for Americans to help Iraqis.

This is about Musicians helping Musicians, and People helping People!

Al Musiqua Tejma 'una
(Music Brings Us Together)

Sincerely,
Cheryl McAuley

Funds needed: By 31 August 2010
Contact phone: 256-859-2861 (Cheryl McAuley)

Links to interviews

The Flatted Fifth an AFM Local 80 newsletter
HSV Times
Huntsville Times Article
My Army Reserve on Facebook
Redstone Rocket - Article pg16.pdf
The Sentinel - Article pg8.pdf
Public Radio, WBUR Here and Now - Broadcast

Companies that have been involved with this project

AB Stephens Music Inc.
Southeastern Musical Services, Inc.
Olde Towne Brass
Rosso Music Center
Baltimore Brass Co.
Wish You Were Here, Inc.®

Donors who have contributed instruments to this project

Doner	Instrument	State
Jim B.	Tenor Sax, Clarinet, and Flute	AL
Maryanne B.	Alto Sax	PA
Mike B.	Clarinet	AL
LaNese C.	Trumpet	OK
Margaret C.	Solo Clarinet	AL
Joan F.	Solo Clarinet	AL
Cynthia H.	Trombone	AL
Linda H.	2 Trombones	AL
Sarah H.	Clarinet	NY
Susan J.	Clarinet	AL
George K.	2 Cornets, Valve Oil and Cork Grease	AL
Harold L.	Clarinet	AL
Nancy L.	Flute	AL
Randy L.	Bassoon	MT
Sue L.	Flute	AL
Cheryl M.	Oboe, Clarinet, Flute, Eb Clarinet, and 2 Snare Drums	AL
Diane M.	Trumpet	NH
Robin M.	Tenor Sax	AL
Suzanne P.	Clarinet	AL
David R.	Piccolo	AL
Pamela R.	Cornet and Clarinet	AL
Tom R.	Clarinet	MD
Lucy T.	Clarinet	AL
Scott T.	Trombone	MI
Duane W.	Trombone	AL
Cathy Z.	Oboe Reeds	MD

Donors who have contributed financially to this project

Doner	Donation	State
John A.	Check	AL
Peggy B.	Check	AL
Sarah B.	Check	MD
Dale H.	Check	AL
Shirley H.	Check	WV
Michael J.	Check	AL
Carolyn M.	Check	MT
Heaven M.	Check	AL
Lena M.	Check	MD
Maureen M.	Check	TX
Rosemary M.	Check	AL
Thomas M.	Check	AL
Dan P.	Check	TN
Janet P.	Check	AL
Barbara R.	Check	AL
Bob S.	Check	MD
Frank T.	Check	AL
Ed W.	Check	MD
Gayle W.	Check	AL
Shirley W.	Check	MD