My Music Story – Dreaming Big in Middle School

Objective: Students will explore the concept of musical goal-setting and personal storytelling by learning about a high school musician’s journey to college. They will reflect on their own musical aspirations, practice articulating their goals, and understand how musicians can use creativity and community support to pursue their dreams.

Mini-Lesson: My Music Story – Dreaming Big in Middle School

Overview: After reading a simplified version of Jim Krossman’s story from Play It Forward: Crowdfunding College for Future Music Majors, students will write their own musical origin story and set a future goal related to music (e.g., performing a solo, joining jazz band, making All-Region Band, studying music in college, etc.).

Materials Needed:

• Short summary of Jim’s story (provided by teacher or displayed on projector)
• Paper or digital journals
• Whiteboard or digital display for brainstorming

Assignment:

Instruction Steps:

1. Engage (5–10 min):
   • Read or summarize Jim’s story aloud: how he practiced on his own, made All-State Band, led as Drum Major, and raised money to help reach his dream.
   • Ask: What stood out to you? How do you think Jim stayed motivated?
2. Discuss (5–10 min):
   • Ask: What are some dreams you have in music? What would you like to do by the end of this year? In high school? Maybe even in college?
   • List answers on the board as students share.
3. Write (15 min):
   • Prompt: "Write your own music story. When did you first start playing or singing? What do you enjoy most? What’s one big dream you have? And what small steps can you take now to get there?"
4. Share (Optional):
   • Invite a few students to read their stories aloud or post on a class board.

Optional Extension:

• Create a “Wall of Music Dreams” in your classroom where students can post their goals for the year and track their progress.

Assignment Submission and Grading: My Music Story

Submission Format: Students will submit their writing in one of the following formats:

• Handwritten on notebook paper (neat and legible)
• Typed in Google Docs or Microsoft Word (shared via Google Classroom or email)

Submissions must include:

• Student's name and class period
• Title: "My Music Story"
• At least one paragraph (5–8 sentences), up to one page in length

Due Date: Submissions are due by Friday, [Insert Date] at the start of class.
Late submissions will be accepted up to 3 days late with a small penalty (-2 points per day).

Grading Rubric (20 points total):

Bonus (up to 2 points): Creative language or inspiring story

Outcome: Students begin to connect music with personal identity and long-term planning. This lesson plants the seed that effort, creativity, and community can help turn musical goals into reality—and that even as middle schoolers, their story matters.

Teacher Note: Use this as a reflective, formative writing exercise. Encourage all students to dream big and share their passion for music with pride. This is not just about grammar—it’s about helping them connect their music education to their identity and future.

Teaching Moment for High School Teacher

Objective:
Students will understand the fundamentals of creating a personal crowdfunding campaign to support their college music education, using effective storytelling, performance media, and budgeting strategies. They will demonstrate the ability to identify target institutions, articulate their goals, and produce a compelling video script and campaign outline suitable for a crowdfunding platform.

🎓 Student Assignment:
Title: Design Your Music College Crowdfunding Campaign

Overview:
Inspired by the real-life example of Jim Krossman, students will research 2–3 colleges or conservatories that match their musical and career interests, then develop a mock crowdfunding campaign that includes:

• A short narrative (storytelling script)
• Budget outline with realistic college-related costs
• A list of potential donors or community support networks
• A rough script/storyboard for a 1–2 minute video appeal

Instructions:

1. Choose Your Schools:
   • Identify 2–3 colleges you are interested in that offer your desired music program (e.g., performance, music education, composition).
   • Briefly explain why each school aligns with your goals.
2. Write Your Story:
   • Introduce yourself and your musical journey.
   • Include accomplishments, challenges overcome, and your goals.
   • Clearly state what you’re raising funds for (e.g., travel to auditions, housing deposit, equipment, etc.)
3. Make a Budget Plan:
   • Research realistic costs associated with applications, auditions, travel, and instrument-related needs.
   • Break down your target fundraising amount with clear categories.
4. Plan Your Video:
   • Draft a short script for a video appeal (1–2 minutes).
   • Include key elements: greeting, story, performance clip (description only), financial ask, and thank-you message.
5. Identify Support Network:
   • List 3–5 community groups or individuals (teachers, faith communities, family friends, etc.) who could help share your campaign.

Assignment Submission Format and Due Date

Submission Format: Students must turn in their completed assignment as a digital portfolio using one of the following formats:

• Google Slides or PowerPoint (recommended for visuals and video storyboard layout)
• Google Docs or Word document (with clear sections labeled as outlined in the instructions)
• PDF file (if formatting from another tool)

Each submission must include:

• Title Page with Student Name, Class Period, and Project Title
• Clearly labeled sections for each part of the assignment:
  • School Selection & Goal Alignment
  • Storytelling Narrative
  • Budget Outline
  • Video Script or Storyboard
  • Support Network Plan

Students may also optionally include a short video (1–2 minutes, recorded on a phone) as a sample of what their appeal might look like. This can be submitted via a private YouTube link or Google Drive folder shared with the instructor.

Due Date: All assignments are due by Friday, _____________________[Insert Date Based on Term Calendar], submitted digitally by 11:59 PM.

Late work will be accepted up to three days after the due date with a 10% deduction per day, unless an extension has been approved in advance.

Submission Platform: Assignments must be submitted through Google Classroom or emailed directly to the instructor if there are technical issues.

Grading Rubric (100 points total):

Bonus (up to 5 points): Exceptional creativity or personalization

Outcome:
Students will leave this lesson with a professional, usable outline for a real crowdfunding campaign they could launch in the future, and with a deeper understanding of how to advocate for their educational journey through performance, storytelling, and strategic planning.

Subject: A Clarinet, a Dream, and a Middle School Reminder

Dear Parents,

I’d like to invite you to read something special. It’s a recent article published on Accoladi.com titled "Play It Forward: Crowdfunding College for Future Music Majors." Now, before you think this is just for high school seniors with scholarship applications in hand—let me assure you: it’s for you, and it’s for now.

The article tells the story of a student named Jim Krossman, a farm kid from Nebraska who never took a private lesson but taught himself music using YouTube videos, discipline, and heart. He practiced every night after chores, earned first chair in All-State Band, and is now raising money through crowdfunding to chase his dream of playing in the U.S. Army Band. It’s an inspiring reminder of what music—and a little determination—can do.

Why am I sharing this with you as a middle school music director? Because the habits that carried Jim forward didn’t begin his junior year of high school. No, they started the same way your child’s journey is starting now: with an instrument, a supportive family, and a teacher who believed in them.

This article is a great way to spark a conversation at home about dreams, effort, and the kind of character that gets built measure by measure, rehearsal by rehearsal. It’s also a helpful reminder that we are not just teaching music—we’re shaping the kind of students who one day will lead, persevere, and inspire.

You can read the full article here: Accoladi.com – Play It Forward: Crowdfunding College for Future Music Majors.

Oh, and your child wants to go to summer music camp, which I highly encourage, consider dipping your toes in the crowd funding waters and making this goal become a reality with friends and family’s dollars.

Let’s keep nurturing their spark now—so that one day, they’ll be ready to play it forward.

Musically Yours,

______________________________________________________ [Director’s Name and Position]

_________________________________________________________ [School Name]

A Sport Coat, a Story, and a Spark – What Every Music Parent Should Read

Dear Parents,

Today, I did something special—I put on a sport coat. Why? Because I just read an article on Accoladi.com that every parent of a student musician needs to see, and I wanted to be dressed for the occasion. The article is called "Play It Forward: Crowdfunding College for Future Music Majors," and it's one of the most honest, inspiring, and practical reads I’ve encountered in a long time.

It tells the story of Jim Krossman, a determined student from Holdrege, Nebraska, who turned his bedroom into a practice studio, taught himself using YouTube and grit, and is now raising funds to attend college and one day play in the U.S. Army Band. His story isn’t just about money—it’s about momentum. About community. About a young artist who dares to dream big and has the discipline to chase it.

And here’s the part that hit home: your child is already walking a path not so different from Jim’s.

So I’m encouraging all of you to read it. Then maybe read it again. And bookmark it. Because for our juniors and seniors—and frankly, even for our 8th graders thinking about marching band—it plants seeds: about college. About preparation. About using music not just as a talent, but as a tool for opportunity.

If your child is already talking about music after high school, this article is a great conversation starter around the dinner table. And if they decide to pursue a crowdfunding campaign, I will personally film a short, professional reference video clip for each junior and senior who requests one to include in their campaign. And yes—I'll even put on a sport coat for it. Because if they’re going to dream big, they deserve someone standing beside your child who takes their dream seriously.

You can find the full article here: Accoladi.com – Play It Forward: Crowdfunding College for Future Music Majors

I believe in our students. I believe in their potential. And I believe that together—with a little creativity, a little courage, and maybe a great solo performance—we can help launch them toward extraordinary futures.

I Believe in the Possibilities,

______________________________________________________
[Director’s Name and Position]

_________________________________________________________
[School Name]