Tampa Bay Ukulele Society is raising funds for our Ukuleles in the Classroom initiative. TBUS has already supplied over 250 ukuleles to 25 schools in the State of Florida. These ukuleles will be used by thousands of students every year.
To continue our initiative we are doing a fundraiser. Every dollar raised will go to our education fund. We are working with Donors Choose to identify and support schools across the State of Florida.
Click here to make a donation to TBUS
To continue our initiative we are doing a fundraiser. Every dollar raised will go to our education fund. We are working with Donors Choose to identify and support schools across the State of Florida.
Click here to make a donation to TBUS
Dear Tampa Bay Ukulele Society,
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making this project possible! Because of your generosity, my students now have the opportunity to experience the joy of learning the ukulele. For many of them, this is their very first time holding and playing a musical instrument. Your gift is giving them more than music lessons—it is building confidence, creativity, perseverance, and a love for learning.
Every time my students strum a new chord, sing together, or celebrate mastering a new skill, they are benefiting from your kindness. You have opened the door for them to discover talents they may never have known they had. Thank you for believing in music education and for investing in the future of my students. Your generosity will have an impact that reaches far beyond our classroom.
With gratitude,
Ms. Smith
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Dear Tampa Bay Ukulele Society,
I am writing to share the positive impact that incorporating ukuleles into my elementary music instruction has had on my students. The ukulele has proven to be an exceptionally effective tool for fostering engagement, joy, and meaningful musical learning in my classroom.
First and foremost, student engagement has increased significantly. Because the ukulele is developmentally appropriate for young learners, students are actively involved in making music rather than passively observing, which keeps their attention focused and encourages participation from all learners, including those who may be hesitant in traditional music settings.
In addition to higher engagement, the ukulele brings a noticeable sense of joy into the classroom. Students take pride in learning to play a real instrument, and the ability to perform songs independently builds confidence and enthusiasm. Music class becomes a place students look forward to, fostering a positive emotional connection to school and learning. This joy often carries beyond the classroom, as students are eager to practice, perform for others, and share their musical accomplishments at home.
From an educational standpoint, ukulele instruction strongly supports musical learning. My students are developing foundational skills such as steady beat, rhythm, pitch awareness, chord structure, and ensemble performance. Soon they will be reading chord charts to strengthen their music literacy. Playing together promotes listening skills, cooperation, and self-discipline. I am looking forward to more opportunities for creativity, composition, and cross-curricular connections.
With gratitude,
Ms. Duffy
Pinellas Central Elementary School
My students have never been more excited about playing an instrument in my classroom. After tuning the instruments and passing them to my students to play, they are playing their hearts out jamming to open strings! My students have already learned their first song called the Ukulele Breakdown to learn the basic notes of the ukulele and are having so much fun! Thank you to you all for you donation to my classroom as this is going to be a valuable asset to my teaching and a confidence booster for...”
Mr. Garrett
West Shore Elementary School•Tampa, FL
We have been using our ukuleles nearly every day! The kids were so excited when we first started playing and some of them have even told me they are going to ask for a ukulele for Christmas or Hanukkah!
I am so excited to develop new curriculum over the years with these ukuleles. They have provided such a magical outlet for the kids to create music. We have learned 3 chords, and now they can play so many different songs they hear on the radio.
I would like to thank you, once again,...”
Ms. Sullivan
Muller Elementary School•Tampa, FL
Thank you so much for donating. It has helped me have more ukuleles for lessons as well as the possibility for a grade-level or a "ukulele band" to now perform at concerts. Music is vital in a child's development. I believe for someone to learn something they have to have that hands-on experience with the instrument, to help them be more successful at what they are trying to do. It makes me so happy to tell my kiddos that we have more ukuleles now to be able to use during class,...”
Ms. Sharman
Athenian Academy of Technology and the Arts•New Prt. Rchy, FL
My students are loving the new ukeleles and enjoy learning this new instrument. When this program started all that was available were some keyboards, but now with your aid you have opened up a world of music application through the stringed instrument that makes everyone feel like a modern indi-rock star, the ukelele. These ukeleles have been a medium of fun, music application and for many the first instrument my students have ever gotten to learn. Mr. Kalver
Pioneer Middle School•Cooper City, FL
I am thrilled to share some wonderful news! Thanks to the generosity of donors from our community and beyond, our DonorsChoose project for the Otis A. Mason Elementary School music class has been fully funded! On behalf of our young musicians, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed or shared our project. Your support helps foster a lifelong love for music and creativity in our students.”
Mr. Cox
Otis A Mason Elementary School•St. Augustine, FL
On behalf of myself and my students, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for your significant contribution to our elementary school music program. We are so grateful for your considerate and incredibly gracious donation. Your donation will have a profound impact on the lives of our young musicians and will provide much joy. Thanks to your support, I will be able to offer enriching music experiences that otherwise were out of reach for our program
Ms. Koerber
Forest Hills Elementary School•Coral Springs, FL
My great thanks for your consideration and donations to this musical project! Our students love to cradle these instruments in their hands, and often quietly thank us as we're bringing them to them for a lesson. Even though our ukuleles do not get played every week due to knowledge preparation for annual assessments and other experiences, we are asked many days when they will get to play them. And they are always present to be viewed in the music room!Mr. McReynolds
Stowers Elementary School•Lithia, FL
On behalf of Middleburg Elementary School, I would like to thank you for your monetary donation towards our classroom ukuleles. The students were very thrilled when the ukuleles arrived and were excited to start learning to play! 5th and 6th grades enjoyed learning the basics of playing the ukulele over the last few months and my intention is to start a ukulele club next spring. Of course, we will also continue to play the ukuleles in class!
Ms. Williams
Middleburg Elementary School•Middleburg, FL
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making this project possible! Because of your generosity, my students now have the opportunity to experience the joy of learning the ukulele. For many of them, this is their very first time holding and playing a musical instrument. Your gift is giving them more than music lessons—it is building confidence, creativity, perseverance, and a love for learning.
Every time my students strum a new chord, sing together, or celebrate mastering a new skill, they are benefiting from your kindness. You have opened the door for them to discover talents they may never have known they had. Thank you for believing in music education and for investing in the future of my students. Your generosity will have an impact that reaches far beyond our classroom.
With gratitude,
Ms. Smith
------------------------
Dear Tampa Bay Ukulele Society,
I am writing to share the positive impact that incorporating ukuleles into my elementary music instruction has had on my students. The ukulele has proven to be an exceptionally effective tool for fostering engagement, joy, and meaningful musical learning in my classroom.
First and foremost, student engagement has increased significantly. Because the ukulele is developmentally appropriate for young learners, students are actively involved in making music rather than passively observing, which keeps their attention focused and encourages participation from all learners, including those who may be hesitant in traditional music settings.
In addition to higher engagement, the ukulele brings a noticeable sense of joy into the classroom. Students take pride in learning to play a real instrument, and the ability to perform songs independently builds confidence and enthusiasm. Music class becomes a place students look forward to, fostering a positive emotional connection to school and learning. This joy often carries beyond the classroom, as students are eager to practice, perform for others, and share their musical accomplishments at home.
From an educational standpoint, ukulele instruction strongly supports musical learning. My students are developing foundational skills such as steady beat, rhythm, pitch awareness, chord structure, and ensemble performance. Soon they will be reading chord charts to strengthen their music literacy. Playing together promotes listening skills, cooperation, and self-discipline. I am looking forward to more opportunities for creativity, composition, and cross-curricular connections.
With gratitude,
Ms. Duffy
Pinellas Central Elementary School
My students have never been more excited about playing an instrument in my classroom. After tuning the instruments and passing them to my students to play, they are playing their hearts out jamming to open strings! My students have already learned their first song called the Ukulele Breakdown to learn the basic notes of the ukulele and are having so much fun! Thank you to you all for you donation to my classroom as this is going to be a valuable asset to my teaching and a confidence booster for...”
Mr. Garrett
West Shore Elementary School•Tampa, FL
We have been using our ukuleles nearly every day! The kids were so excited when we first started playing and some of them have even told me they are going to ask for a ukulele for Christmas or Hanukkah!
I am so excited to develop new curriculum over the years with these ukuleles. They have provided such a magical outlet for the kids to create music. We have learned 3 chords, and now they can play so many different songs they hear on the radio.
I would like to thank you, once again,...”
Ms. Sullivan
Muller Elementary School•Tampa, FL
Thank you so much for donating. It has helped me have more ukuleles for lessons as well as the possibility for a grade-level or a "ukulele band" to now perform at concerts. Music is vital in a child's development. I believe for someone to learn something they have to have that hands-on experience with the instrument, to help them be more successful at what they are trying to do. It makes me so happy to tell my kiddos that we have more ukuleles now to be able to use during class,...”
Ms. Sharman
Athenian Academy of Technology and the Arts•New Prt. Rchy, FL
My students are loving the new ukeleles and enjoy learning this new instrument. When this program started all that was available were some keyboards, but now with your aid you have opened up a world of music application through the stringed instrument that makes everyone feel like a modern indi-rock star, the ukelele. These ukeleles have been a medium of fun, music application and for many the first instrument my students have ever gotten to learn. Mr. Kalver
Pioneer Middle School•Cooper City, FL
I am thrilled to share some wonderful news! Thanks to the generosity of donors from our community and beyond, our DonorsChoose project for the Otis A. Mason Elementary School music class has been fully funded! On behalf of our young musicians, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed or shared our project. Your support helps foster a lifelong love for music and creativity in our students.”
Mr. Cox
Otis A Mason Elementary School•St. Augustine, FL
On behalf of myself and my students, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for your significant contribution to our elementary school music program. We are so grateful for your considerate and incredibly gracious donation. Your donation will have a profound impact on the lives of our young musicians and will provide much joy. Thanks to your support, I will be able to offer enriching music experiences that otherwise were out of reach for our program
Ms. Koerber
Forest Hills Elementary School•Coral Springs, FL
My great thanks for your consideration and donations to this musical project! Our students love to cradle these instruments in their hands, and often quietly thank us as we're bringing them to them for a lesson. Even though our ukuleles do not get played every week due to knowledge preparation for annual assessments and other experiences, we are asked many days when they will get to play them. And they are always present to be viewed in the music room!Mr. McReynolds
Stowers Elementary School•Lithia, FL
On behalf of Middleburg Elementary School, I would like to thank you for your monetary donation towards our classroom ukuleles. The students were very thrilled when the ukuleles arrived and were excited to start learning to play! 5th and 6th grades enjoyed learning the basics of playing the ukulele over the last few months and my intention is to start a ukulele club next spring. Of course, we will also continue to play the ukuleles in class!
Ms. Williams
Middleburg Elementary School•Middleburg, FL
