Musical Instruments for the Twitterkids! tweetsgiving.org

Photos taken by Melissa & AJ Leon of theLacProject.

Throughout 2010, I will be updating this article. Please take a moment to read and visit the websites mentioned herein for the full story. Spreading the word is powerful and I am grateful for all who do. -- Jonathan

See below for information on:

• Shipment #1 - December 24, 2009
• Musical instruments & gear - ongoing
• Music composed for Shepherds Junior - December 6, 2009

What is this about?

On Tuesday evening, November 24, I shared music with all on Blip.fm in the name of Love and Hope to raise awareness for http://tweetsgiving.org. It is my pleasure to share that message and hopefully spark an interest.

Furthermore, I want to support music in a direct way. I am currently donating instruments to benefit the Shepherds Junior school in Arusha, Tanzania, Africa. The school began in 2003 with 6 children and has grown to 350! Through Vision, Work, Love, and Hope the school has made tremendous strides.

As a child, I was always enthralled by musical instruments. I finally understand that there is a magnetic pull that attracts a musical mind to an instrument. My dream is to let the children have their own gear to be able to play rock music. Guitar, bass, drums, keyboard. Not toys. Not a rock and roll video game. Real instruments that spark the imagination and dreams of anyone who touches them. Within this school now and in future there are musical minds who need an instrument.

The school has inspired me because they had nothing but a dream 6 years ago and now are making huge progress. Likewise, I had nothing but a dream 4 years ago and now am making my own progress with music.

It is a kindred spirit thing. Maybe you can appreciate and if possible donate to the cause in whatever way you can.

Thank You,
Jonathan

Please watch a short video about the school.



SHIPMENT #1 DECEMBER 24, 2009

The first shipment of instruments is now ready. Shipping out from Oklahoma City to Arusha on December 24.

Contains:
> Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar
> Line 6 Guitar Amplifier (with integrated tuner, reverb, phaser, chorus, audio inputs)
> Guitar accessories (strings, picks, strap, stand, cables, chord chart)

> Percussion (tambourine, shakers)

A very special thanks goes out to an Oklahoma City group called the Whiz Kids. The Whiz Kids at North Highlands Elementary School in Oklahoma City recently gathered for their Christmas party and helped make a special contribution to Shepherds Junior, an autographed tambourine with a message of hope.

http://www.whizkidsok.org

"One-on-one volunteer tutoring/mentoring program focusing on first through eighth grade students who live in areas which have some of the highest drop-out rates and lowest socioeconomic levels in Oklahoma City. Whiz Kids is proactive and preventative in nature, targeting inner-city schools and students who are reading below grade level and who could benefit most from a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult."

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND GEAR
The idea is to build up a supply of gear to outfit the "rock band". The instruments can be used to play any type of music though. Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Voice, and Song are universal.

Shipping is costly. Providing monetary donations to tweetsgiving.org will be of great assistance to the school. See http://tweetsgiving.org for information. There is currently no corporate sponsorship for the instruments program.

For gear questions: contact LinwoodStudios@gmail.com or through Twitter.

It bears repeating that the following are all real instruments, not toys.

What we have:

SHIPMENT #1 December 24, 2009
> Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar
> Line 6 Guitar Amplifier (with integrated tuner, reverb, phaser, chorus, audio inputs)
> Guitar accessories (strings, picks, strap, stand, cables, chord chart)

> Percussion (tambourine, shakers)

Some more gear ideas ...

Smaller things

• Tuners
• Metronomes
• Harmonicas
• Percussion - shaker, block, sticks, tambourine, maracas, etc.
• Books, CDs, DVDs, and software about music education & appreciation,
• Field recorder (simple handheld unit for live recording. Great for creating MP3 files.)
• Musical supplies - headphones, blank sheet music, etc.
• ...

Larger things

• Acoustic guitar (player pack)
• Electric keyboard (with stand)
• Keyboard amplifier
• Electric bass
• Bass amplifier
• Music stands
• Drum kit (not a toy kit) (simple 4 or 5 piece kit including cymbals, with hardware, sticks and a stool)
• ....

If shipping gear directly, please use the following address in Tanzania. See DHL.com for shipping details.

Lucy Kamptoni
Shepherds Junior School
PO Box 1888
Arusha, Tanzania

MUSIC COMPOSED FOR SHEPHERDS JUNIOR

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6
There is now music to benefit the school. Help spread the word by posting to your blog, twitter, Facebook, anywhere. Some short messages with links:

Help The #Twitterkids Rock! http://tweetsgiving.org for donations.

New Rock For The #Twitterkids @ShepherdsJr "Run On! Shepherds" by @LinwoodStudios http://ow.ly/d/S0

All donations should be made directly to http://tweetsgiving.org

Recommended donation if downloading the single: $1 (or more). Anything is appreciated.

The single "Run On, Shepherds!" is a special composition. The concept of the single is to show the kids at Shepherds Junior how their guitar and a simple melody can inspire many different rock variations. The melody is a familiar holiday tune. The style is similar to the fast and heavy rock of Run On Sentences volumes 1.1 and 1.2. The Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar being donated to the school is featured as one of the instruments you will hear. Very fun!

In keeping with the spirit of EpicChange.org, you are free to support this project in many ways other than money. Just telling another person is great. You can e-mail, blog, update your Facebook status, or make a comment on Twitter. It's all good. In fact, you may download the single without donating.

Thanks for reading. Hope you can spread the word!

Explanation and Preview of "Run On! Shepherds"

Download Link for "Run On! Shepherds"

Blip+Love+Hope for #Tweetsgiving Nov-24-09 8P-11P EST

Blip+Love+Hope for #Tweetsgiving Nov-24-09 8P-11P EST

Hosted by Jonathan Jones | Linwood Studios, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
http://www.blip.fm/LinwoodStudios

What is this about?
I am dedicating tonight’s music to recognize my blessings and share my gratitude through music. I am eternally grateful for the healing power of creativity and music. Many thanks are in order for the Love and Hope that I have received this year. During the three hours of music, I will be sharing messages of love, hope, and gratitude. I will also “re-blip” music played by DJ’s who have chosen to share that same message either knowingly or unknowingly.

If you are inspired to Blip+Love+Hope to your friends, please include the tag #tweetsgiving. In that way, everyone will know you are giving special thanks at this time of year.

If you are further inspired by #tweetsgiving, please visit http://tweetsgiving.org to learn the full details.

Thank You!


What inspired me to participate in #tweetsgiving?
#Tweetsgiving benefits a very special school in Arusha, Tanzania. Mama Lucy (http://www.twitter.com/mamalucy) began the Shepherds Junior School just 6 years ago with 6 students and now has 350! See the video The vision and hard work of Mama Lucy and the teaching staff is inspiring. Your help will enable the school to continue its great work and expand the education opportunities, including music. They need the most basic things: books, computers, school and art supplies, musical instruments, and yes - money to pay the hard working staff. Whatever you can donate is greatly appreciated. I encourage musicians to consider donating musical gear to the children. I began violin at age 10 and have a lifetime to thank for that education. But your support can be even simpler than donations. Even taking time to send a simple message of hope is appreciated. I am thankful for the invitation to participate in the event.

Special thanks to Henie Reisinger @hennartonline and Danny Brown @dannybrown. Both are champions for the #12for12K organization. I consider them to be extraordinary and trustworthy people.


About Linwood Studios & Jonathan Jones
Linwood Studios is my creative production studio. Among other things, I compose my own instrumental music and collaborate with other artists. I compose and perform all instrumental parts, record, and produce. Currently my projects are centered on rock music for runners and collaborating with others musically and artistically. My wife and I live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/LinwoodStudios
Music: http://www.ReverbNation.com/JonathanJones