The Steel Guitar Forum

I'm trying to find some wonderful, generous music lover out there to donate a steel guitar to our high school music program. We are preparing to do a concert of Western Swing Music in May and I would love to expose my students to the magic of the steel guitar!

I have been the music director here at Walnut High School in southern California for the past 28 years. I started with a little band of 23 musicians but over the years we have grown and grown. We currently have a band program with over 240 students and a string program of about 160 musicians. We have two large string orchestras, a 240 member marching band, a jazz ensemble, 4 concert bands and a symphonic orchestra. One of the traditions that we have developed over the years is presenting a number of concerts yearly where we perform the actual arrangements that were either recorded for film or television or on the actual famous recordings (Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, Lawrence Welk, Percy Faith, Mantovani, Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, etc.). We have been fortunate to have a number of wonderful composers and guest artists perform with our students as well, including Hollywood legend Elmer Bernstein, among others.

We have so many wonderful, talented and gifted students. We are in the process of preparing for our annual spring Pops Concert with our orchestra. I have always wanted to expose our students to some quality Country & Western Music - and this year we're finally able to do it! I am currently arranging a Bob Wills Medley for Orchestra, which I am hoping to use steel guitar on. I would also like to put together a smaller Wester Swing Unit (ala Asleep at the Wheel & the Texas Playboys) featuring some of our top student musicians.

I am hoping that someone out there might consider donating a pedal steel guitar as a tax write-off to our high school music program (or a non-pedal steel would be great also).

Does anyone have any suggestions where I may be able to find someone who would consider making such a donation. I hate to ask, believe me, but with the current budget crisis we are experiencing in public education, its just tough to come up with the funds that we used to have.

Thanks yawl! I just joined SGF last night, but I have been amazed at what a wonderful community of musicians and music lovers you have here!

Dr. Buddy Clements
Director of Music
Walnut High School
Walnut, CA 91789

That's pretty cool but do you really have students talented enough to be able to play steel on Bob Wills tunes in a few weeks?

I was thinking the same thing.

Dr. Clements
In a resent request by a former SGF member to donate a guitar turned into a nightmare , for that reason you may not get to many takers on your request .
the steel guitar community has been saying all along that the instrument is fading into obscurity -- Maybe you could get your community to invest in a steel so that it may become part of you curriculum .
Your Bob Will’s musical is more than welcome on this forum But , if I may suggest , invite a local Steel Guitar player to join you as a gust musician . I’m sure the instrument would be given a fair introduction to your student if that were the case .

I mean no affiance to your request , Things are what they are
Hick

Just a suggestion: I think that building lap steels should be very doable high school shop class projects.

Getting a musician out of some steel greenies to learn just enuf credible steel licks to cover a few tunes shouldn't be a problem.
But dealing with the high maintenence and complexities of a pedal steel could doom the dream.
Starting off slow with a lap steel is the way to go, so if it goes south, then not much is lost.
It seems the Doc has developed some interest in the steel with his students, and we know there are plenty of steels just collecting dust that need a new home. Here's a good chance to painlessly promote the steel guitar to young blood!

Michael, in my neighborhood I've witnessed just what you suggest, and it's going over very well.

I agree with Ron - a six string lap steel would be a very practical solution (and more authentic for Bob Wills era Western Swing than pedal steel).

Hopefully you will find a donor, but if not there are affordable starter instruments that should do the job like this one:

http://folk-instruments.musiciansfriend ... sku=513453

You can usually find a suitable amplifier on Craig's List any day of the week for $100 or so.

my thought is that dr. buddy, after 28 years of stable employment unlike many steel players, should be able to invest under a thousand dollars to further the education and developement of his students. if it doesn't work out he can sell it to recoup his investment. if it does work out, that's a small price to pay for the satisfaction he will gain from his endeavor. it's a win win situation.

That's a bit a stretch to expect from a High School teacher, in any economic era. He's done the correct thing in asking us for help, any if nothing suitable is offered, then something is very wrong here.

Hey guys! Wow! You guys are absolutely awesome! Thanks for all the thoughtful comments and since input. I really appreciate your discussion on our behalf. Great suggestions, each and every one. I am new to SGF, but I am so impressed with your positive interaction! Thanks guys!

I will take each suggestion into account. Yes, we may find a jest artist to join us on pedal steel. And possibly give our students an instructional clinic, etc. I am hoping to plant the seeds of an ongoing interest in steel guitar. Seriously, I have absolutely AMAZING kids in our music program. They are excited about the creation of a Western Swing ensemble!

Thanks guys! Who knows? We may stumble upon some additional funding... it happens. On the meantime, thanks so much to each and every one of you!

Buddy

Ron Whitfield wrote:That's a bit a stretch to expect from a High School teacher, in any economic era. He's done the correct thing in asking us for help, any if nothing suitable is offered, then something is very wrong here.

Hmmm, Mayhaps you can be the one

Newnan, Georgia, the home of comedy, who knew?!
If it comes down to lil ol' me in the middle of the Pacific Ocean down to 1 working steel, then...

I was thinking about this thread all afternoon. My recommendations would be for the department to obtain a six string laptop with legs. Give the student the Mel Bay 6 string book with the E tuning and let them find where stuff is in the finite world of a 6 string.

The almost infinite world of a pedal steel would only drive them crazy in the short term of a 1/2 or whole school year.

The 6-string on legs could be studied independently less the legs, placed on a table or so, so the studying experience is less physical work. The legs would come in handy for stand-up playing when in group practice or concert so that he/she wouldn't be hidden by the trombones.

Bob Hickish wrote:A recent request by a former SGF member to donate a guitar turned into a nightmare. For that reason you may not get too many takers on your request...

I fear you're right.

Just wanted to let all know, that Jim Palenscar donated a beautiful pedal steel guitar to our high school music program. His thoughtfulness and generosity exceeded my wildest dreams and expectations! He said he was just excited to see that we were attempting to share the joy and magic of the steel guitar with some young musicians and only too happy to be a part of it. What an amazing and incredibly kind gentleman!

And hey, I had the opportunity to hear Jim play a few licks - Holy Smokes! This guy has some super chops! Whoa!

Thanks to all of you for your support! And especially thanks to Jim for his kindness and support of music education!

Jim, you ROCK!

Thanks again!

Dr. Buddy Clements

Kudos to JP! Doc, good luck with it all.