Community rallies to bring music back to South Side school after theft
Timothy King
Music teacher Timothy King  is getting the band back together.
A day after the Tribune reported the theft of 30 instruments from his elementary classroom in the Back of the Yards neighborhood   King  not only will have  his  classroomâs instruments fully replaced but will be able to build up Fulton Elementaryâs music program better than before.
âThe kids were excited â  King  said. âThey were in just as much disbelief as I was at how quickly the amount was raised  and that was just the morning classes.â
âItâs just good to know people are concerned about the arts despite the lack of funds  and not just in this community â  King  said.
Wednesday was a whirlwind for the Fulton music teacher. His full day of teaching classes was made busier by endless phone calls with people offering money or replacement instruments from across the city  and even the suburbs. The story picked up steam on social media and attracted the attention of musicians Josh Groban and Jeff Tweedy  both of whom tweeted about the loss. Both are in contact with  King  to donate instruments or money to the classroom   King  said.
Patrick Monaghan  former owner of Carrot Top Records in Chicago  on Tuesday solicited instrument donations for the school on Twitter. On Wednesday afternoon he delivered a couple of guitars  amplifiers and ukuleles to the school that  King  was able to share with the students the same day.
âIt was going around the school that it was in the news  but no one expected to actually receive instruments today â  King  said.
The money raised wonât have to be used to replace the stolen instruments but will instead help  King  strengthen and expand the schoolâs music program. Little Kids Rock  the organization that provided Fulton Elementary with many of the original instruments in 2016  is providing Kingâs classroom with an entirely new set to fully replace what was stolen.
âIâm just telling people anything you want to donate  whether itâs a physical instrument or itâs monetary  weâll accept it â  King  said. âBecause itâs not just about replacing the instruments that were stolen; I want to add on to the program.â
Crucial to expanding the music program at Fulton will be storage lockers   King  said  to prevent another theft from happening.  He  also wants to buy insurance for the new equipment. A quick glance at prices online showed  him  instrument cabinets will be expensive  but  King  insists they are âworth the investment.â
The outpouring of generosity and support was a lot to absorb for King  who barely had time to check the GoFundMe page during the day. When  he  finally did   he  found support from strangers and loved ones alike.
âYes  your goal has been met. For that  I am extremely grateful â wrote Kimberly Branch-King   Timothy Kingâs  wife. âBut as your wife  friend  and fellow educator  I am compelled to also donate because â¦ I know the energy  love and time that goes into your lesson planning.â
 King  also received an offer for a different kind of support. Arturs Weible  a music teacher at Chopin Elementary School in Humboldt Park  has had help from the community funding his own music program. Heâs now offering to have his orchestra students come perform at Fulton for Kingâs classes.
Music teacher  [TGT]   is getting the band back together.
A day after the Tribune reported the theft of 30 instruments from his elementary classroom in the Back of the Yards neighborhood   King  not only will have  his  classroomâs instruments fully replaced but will be able to build up Fulton Elementaryâs music program better than before.
âThe kids were excited â  King  said. âThey were in just as much disbelief as I was at how quickly the amount was raised  and that was just the morning classes.â
âItâs just good to know people are concerned about the arts despite the lack of funds  and not just in this community â  King  said.
Wednesday was a whirlwind for the Fulton music teacher. His full day of teaching classes was made busier by endless phone calls with people offering money or replacement instruments from across the city  and even the suburbs. The story picked up steam on social media and attracted the attention of musicians Josh Groban and Jeff Tweedy  both of whom tweeted about the loss. Both are in contact with  King  to donate instruments or money to the classroom   King  said.
Patrick Monaghan  former owner of Carrot Top Records in Chicago  on Tuesday solicited instrument donations for the school on Twitter. On Wednesday afternoon he delivered a couple of guitars  amplifiers and ukuleles to the school that  King  was able to share with the students the same day.
âIt was going around the school that it was in the news  but no one expected to actually receive instruments today â  King  said.
The money raised wonât have to be used to replace the stolen instruments but will instead help  King  strengthen and expand the schoolâs music program. Little Kids Rock  the organization that provided Fulton Elementary with many of the original instruments in 2016  is providing Kingâs classroom with an entirely new set to fully replace what was stolen.
âIâm just telling people anything you want to donate  whether itâs a physical instrument or itâs monetary  weâll accept it â  King  said. âBecause itâs not just about replacing the instruments that were stolen; I want to add on to the program.â
Crucial to expanding the music program at Fulton will be storage lockers   King  said  to prevent another theft from happening.  He  also wants to buy insurance for the new equipment. A quick glance at prices online showed  him  instrument cabinets will be expensive  but  King  insists they are âworth the investment.â
The outpouring of generosity and support was a lot to absorb for King  who barely had time to check the GoFundMe page during the day. When  he  finally did   he  found support from strangers and loved ones alike.
âYes  your goal has been met. For that  I am extremely grateful â wrote Kimberly Branch-King    [TGT] âs  wife. âBut as your wife  friend  and fellow educator  I am compelled to also donate because â¦ I know the energy  love and time that goes into your lesson planning.â
 King  also received an offer for a different kind of support. Arturs Weible  a music teacher at Chopin Elementary School in Humboldt Park  has had help from the community funding his own music program. Heâs now offering to have his orchestra students come perform at Fulton for Kingâs classes.