By Elevo Marketing
We believe every student deserves the chance to make noise, find their rhythm, and experience the joy of music. Yet, we know that budgets can be tight and resources scarce. That doesn’t stop us. Instead, it sparks our creativity.
Earlier this year, our very own Lauren Casserly took the stage at the California All-State Music Education Conference (CASMEC) to share exactly how we turn challenges into musical opportunities. Her workshop, titled “Ballin’ on a Budget,” wasn’t just a presentation; it was a call to action for educators to rethink what a music classroom looks like.
Lauren, a former music teacher and our current VAPA and STEAM Program Specialist, led a packed room of 50 educators through innovative strategies to keep music programs thriving. From turning soccer balls into drums to unlocking state funding, here is how we are making music accessible, affordable, and incredibly fun for our students.
Passion Meets Purpose
Lauren brings an infectious energy to everything she does. She understands the unique magic that happens when a child picks up an instrument for the first time. She also knows the frustration of staring at a limited budget spreadsheet.
In her role as Program Specialist, Lauren focuses on developing elementary curriculum that blends the arts with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEAM). She creates units that get kids moving and thinking. We are talking about bucket drum beats, boom whacker melodies, and DIY instrument builds that challenge students to engineer their own sound.
Last year, we sent Lauren to CASMEC to soak up inspiration. This year, she returned as a presenter to share our mission. Her goal was clear: empower educators to build robust music programs regardless of their financial constraints.
Rethinking the "Instrument"
One of the biggest hurdles in music education is the cost of instruments. Professional horns and traditional percussion sets are expensive to buy and maintain. Lauren’s solution? Look at what you already have.
During her session, Lauren introduced the concept of “Alternative Instruments.” These are everyday items repurposed to teach rhythm, pitch, and musicianship.
The Bucket Ball Drum
Traditional bucket drumming is popular, but it can be loud and hard on the hands. Lauren showcased a brilliant alternative: the Bucket Ball Drum. By using a 5-quart bucket, a soccer ball or basketball, and rhythm sticks, we create a transportable, cost-effective instrument. It is safer for students’ ears and easier on the school’s noise levels. Plus, it gets kids active and moving—a perfect blend of PE and music.
Makerspace Music
Why buy a shaker when you can build one? Lauren championed the idea of “Makerspace Music,” where students use simple materials to build their own instruments. This approach keeps costs under $100 and adds a layer of engineering to the music lesson.
- Rainsticks: Made from bamboo or PVC pipe filled with rice.
- Xylophones: PVC pipe cut to specific lengths to create different pitches.
- Shakers: Recycled cans, jars, or tins filled with beads.
These projects do more than save money. They teach students that music is everywhere, waiting to be discovered.
Unlocking Funding Opportunities
Creativity builds the instruments, but funding sustains the program. Lauren walked attendees through the complex world of grants and state funding with a focus on Prop 28.
Prop 28 provides designated funding for arts and music education in California schools. The rules can seem tricky, but we view them as a pathway to growth. Lauren explained that while 80% of these funds must employ staff, the remaining 20% can revitalize a program’s materials.
She also highlighted the importance of Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO-P) funding. These funds support equitable access to enrichment for students who need it most. By aligning music programs with these funding sources, we ensure that arts education isn’t just a nice-to-have—it becomes a sustainable, central part of the school day.
The Power of Partnership
You cannot build a thriving program alone. Collaboration is at the heart of our success. Lauren emphasized that music educators have allies all over the school campus, sometimes in places they least expect.
The PE Teacher
Music involves movement, rhythm, and coordination. These are the same skills students learn in Physical Education. By partnering with PE teachers, we can share equipment (like those soccer balls for drumming), share space, and even share curriculum goals. It is a win-win that doubles the resources for both departments.
Custodians and Groundskeepers
Who knows where the spare PVC pipe is? Who can help save large cardboard boxes or tins before they hit the recycling bin? Your custodial staff. Lauren encouraged educators to build strong relationships with the people who maintain the school. They often hold the keys—literally and figuratively—to materials that can become the next great instrument project.
Parents and Community
We also look to our community. Parents often have unused materials at home or skills they want to share. By inviting them into the process, we turn a music class into a community project.
Students
Giving children the chance to create their own instruments and solve budget challenges empowers them to tackle real-world problems with creativity and confidence. When students are trusted to lead, they often come up with innovative solutions that adults might never imagine. Including them in the decision-making process not only sparks their creativity but also deepens their commitment to caring for the instruments they use. By putting kids in the driver’s seat of their education, we can transform a limited music budget into a thriving, sustainable program—powered by the boundless creativity of childhood.
Focusing on Process Over Perfection
At the core of Lauren’s presentation was a simple, powerful philosophy: let kids enjoy the process.
We don’t need every seven-year-old to play like a professional musician. We need them to feel comfortable exploring sound. We need them to feel safe making mistakes. When we focus on the joy of playing rather than the pressure of perfection, we create lifelong lovers of music.
As Dr. Barnett from Beaumont Unified School District noted in reflection on using alternative instruments, great teachers let kids try new things without getting bogged down by quality control. We want kids who feel comfortable playing and singing around each other. That confidence translates to every other area of their lives.
Moving Forward Together
The response to Lauren’s workshop was electric. Fifty educators left that room with new tools in their toolkit and a renewed sense of optimism. They learned that a lack of budget doesn’t mean a lack of music.
We are incredibly proud of Lauren for representing our values on such a big stage. Her work reminds us that when we get creative, collaborate with our neighbors, and focus on our students, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
Let’s keep the music playing. Let’s keep ballin’ on a budget. And most importantly, let’s keep thriving together.