It’s Instrumental is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the instrumental music program at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC.
Duke Ellington is a visual and performing arts high school in Washington, DC co-founded by Peggy Cooper Cafritz and Mike Malone in 1974, with a mission to provide an excellent academic and arts education to young talent from largely minority communities.
The school has an outstanding instrumental music program that focuses on classical and jazz music. A major goal for the school’s instrumental music director, Isaac Daniel, is to identify talented young students at the 9th grade level who may not otherwise have an opportunity for a rich music education. Students come from all over the DC region to be part of this special experience, including many from the intercity public school system where they have been introduced to an instrument and shown a gift for pitch or rhythm, but have never owned their own instrument to practice.
Ellington’s rigorous high school program involves a regular school day (8:30AM – 2:00 PM) of academic classes plus an additional three-plus hours of arts education from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM and beyond, including rehearsals. Ellington is a public school, but the city funding is directed toward the academic part of the school day. Much of the arts funding, including many of the teacher’s salaries, instruments, and other expenses, must be raised from outside sources.
We invite you to attend the classical and jazz music performances offered by the Duke Ellington students and to considering donating. Money that you donate will go toward new instruments, travel for the students to attend competitions, and other important activities.
Parent Executive Committee
President: Rocelia Johnson
Vice President: Portia Lewis
Secretary/Communications: Stephanie Sexton
Treasurer: Katitia Pitts
Assistant Treasurer: Vacant
