Woodridge Middle School’s band program received an unexpected and generous gift thanks to St. Louis Music and one of its employees. It all started when Woodridge Band Director Nate Boxdorfer heard from his longtime friend Derick Tramel, a proud Northwest alumnus and manager of the horn shop at St. Louis Music, who reached out with an incredible offer.
A Gift Years in the Making
St. Louis Music is a national music retail distributor, supplying instruments and accessories to music stores across the country. As manager of the horn shop, Tramel and his team inspect and set up every new band instrument before it goes out for sale.
During an inventory late last year, Tramel noticed a pallet of horns sitting unused. The instruments included discontinued models, demo instruments, and horns that never made it to market. Recognizing their potential, he knew they shouldn’t simply sit and gather dust in the warehouse.
“I told my bosses that these horns were great instruments and needed to be in the hands of kids and being played,” he said. “They agreed.”
Although St. Louis Music doesn’t have a formal donation program, company leadership supported the idea and asked Tramel to find the right home for the instruments. For him, the choice was easy.
“My kids are in the district, and I grew up through Northwest as well,” he said. “I also went to college with Nate and know he has a great passion for music education. It seemed like the perfect fit.”
A Labor of Love
St. Louis Music donated the instruments with the understanding that Tramel would bring them up to good playing condition. He picked them up in May, the same time he notified Boxdorfer about the donation, and spent his free time repairing, adjusting, and preparing each one in his basement workshop.
The full collection, valued around $12,000, is now ready for Woodridge Middle School’s musicians. Most are student-level instruments ideal for beginning musicians, but the donation also includes several professional-quality clarinets and a pro-level saxophone, the type of instruments many students don’t have the opportunity to play until much later in their musical careers.
A Game Changer for Woodridge Middle School
For Boxdorfer and the Woodridge Middle School Band, the impact is immeasurable.
“This is a game changer for our program,” Boxdorfer said. “These instruments will be perfect backups when a student’s personal instrument is in the repair shop, and they’ll give our students the chance to play quality instruments regardless of their family’s financial situation.”
Many families cannot afford high-end instruments or the extra cost of renting a second instrument, especially for students transitioning from beginning instruments like flute and clarinet. The donation gives students access to instruments they otherwise may never have had the opportunity to play.
“These instruments help provide an even playing field among our families,” Boxdorfer explained. “They eliminate the financial barrier that comes with high-quality instruments.”
The plan for student use is still being finalized in coordination with building administrators, but the expectation is to keep the donated instruments at school for use during band class. Students will continue practicing at home using their personal instruments while using the donated horns during class. Student responsibility and care will be factors in determining who can use the horns.
“This is a tremendous gift,” Boxdorfer said. “We want to make sure they’re placed in the hands of students who will take excellent care of them.”
A Community-Rooted Act of Generosity
For Tramel, a product of the Northwest Band program and an accomplished musician in his own right, giving back to the community that helped shape him was important.
“I’m super thankful to St. Louis Music for this donation,” he said. “I’m glad these instruments will be put to good use here at home for Northwest.”
Thanks to St. Louis Music and Derick Tramel’s time and dedication, Woodridge Middle School’s band students will be making music on quality instruments for years to come that support their growth, expand opportunities, and strengthen the program.