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The Downbeat Foundation

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The Downbeat Foundation

The Downbeat Foundation raises funds to provide drum lessons and instruments to children in the Harrisburg area who could not otherwise afford them.

We welcome students in grades 4–12 from all schools, backgrounds, and experience levels.

10/06/2026

$160 can cover a month of weekly private lessons at our current rate.

Time with an instructor. Something to practice between lessons. A chance to come back and try again.

A gift of any size to Double the Impact helps make music more accessible to local students. The lesson cost is one example of what that support can provide.

Donate through the link in the first comment.

10/04/2026

For one student, the missing piece is a lesson. For another, it’s an instrument at home. Sometimes it’s a reliable ride.

Downbeat’s support depends on what helps that student participate. There isn’t one package that fits everyone.

That’s the work behind our October campaign. Link in comments.

10/01/2026

More students deserve the chance to learn an instrument and stick with it.

Today we’re launching Double the Impact, Downbeat’s October campaign to expand access to music for students in Dauphin and Cumberland Counties.

We’re a drums- and percussion-forward foundation, helping young musicians learn, practice and perform.

Your gift helps cover the practical things: instruction, instruments and transportation. The students bring the effort.

Help make room for the next young musician.

Donation link in the first comment.

07/22/2026

Investing in students means investing in the places where they learn, perform, and grow.

We’re proud to share that The Downbeat Foundation has donated a drum set to the Appell Center for the Performing Arts to support the ACPA Jazz Ensemble and other student music programs.

While scholarships remain at the heart of our mission, opportunities like this allow us to expand our impact even further. By partnering with organizations that share our passion for music education, we can help ensure that even more young musicians have access to quality instruments and meaningful performance experiences.

Here’s what the Appell Center shared about the impact of this gift:

“The Appell Center’s education programming has been growing, and the generous donation of a drum set by The Downbeat Foundation ensures that our students have access to a quality instrument that gets consistent use—whether with the ACPA Jazz Ensemble, at our Student Music Festival, or at one of our Open Mics.”

That’s exactly why we do what we do.

Thank you to everyone who supports The Downbeat Foundation. Because of you, we’re able to remove barriers, strengthen music programs, and create opportunities that will benefit students for years to come.

We’re excited to see the music—and memories—made behind this drum set.

05/19/2026

May Jam 2026 is officially in the books. What a day.

To everyone who attended, performed, volunteered, sponsored, donated, shared a post, bought a ticket, brought a friend, or simply believed in what we’re building… thank you.

What started as an idea to honor Ben became a full day of live music, student performances, community, and support for music education. Seeing so many people come together for this cause exceeded anything we could have hoped for in Year 1.

To our artists and student performers: thank you for sharing your talent and energy with us.

To our volunteers, crew, board members, family, and friends: this event does not happen without you. Period.

To our sponsors and partners: thank you for taking a chance on a first-year nonprofit event and helping us create something meaningful for local students.

Most importantly, thank you for helping us continue Ben’s legacy through music and opportunity for the next generation.

This was only the beginning.

More photos, videos, and highlights are coming soon.

05/11/2026

Let’s hear it for our May Jam sponsors! 👏👏

May Jam is in 5️⃣ days, have you gotten your tickets yet?

05/06/2026

🥁 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧

Brandon came into the program already playing drums for his church’s youth group.
Drums are his first love. Guitar is a close second, partly because his grandfather played. That connection matters to him.

He’s stretching himself in school band. Expanding his skillset. Starting to see that the more he practices, the more fun the instrument becomes.

He’s in that pivotal stage where the spark is there and the discipline is forming.
And when that clicks, everything changes.

Watching that growth unfold is exactly why this work matters.

This is what your ticket supports.
👉www.thedownbeatfoundation.org/mayjam

05/03/2026

🏆 Another Thank You to Our Legacy Sponsor: G.R. Sponaugle

As we continue preparing for May Jam, we want to give another shoutout to one of our Legacy Sponsors, G.R. Sponaugle.

For more than sixty years, G.R. Sponaugle has been building and supporting the infrastructure that keeps Central Pennsylvania running, from mechanical and electrical systems to large commercial and institutional projects across the region. Their commitment to quality work and strong community partnerships has made them a trusted name throughout our area.

We’re grateful for their support of The Downbeat Foundation and our mission to provide drum lessons, instruments, and musical opportunities for students across the greater Dauphin County community.

Sponsors like G.R. Sponaugle help us continue expanding the impact of the foundation and carry forward the legacy of Ben Smith, whose passion for music and community continues to inspire everything we do.

Thank you for helping us keep the rhythm going.

👉Share this and bring your crew on May 16th

Links in the comments

04/30/2026

Every great event needs a strong backbeat.

We’re grateful to recognize our Backbeat Sponsors who are helping bring May Jam 2026 to life and supporting music opportunities for local students.

The Merryman Family
Steven Geyer
Justin James McShane and McShane Family Aviation

Their support goes beyond this event—it helps us put instruments in the hands of students and keep the rhythm going for the next generation.

If you know them, take a moment to thank them. This is what community looks like.

04/29/2026

🥁 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬

This has been a breakthrough season for Jules.

She’s learning to read drum score while playing it. Handling 8th and 16th note grooves.

Exploring open-hand technique. Performing in her school’s pit band and helping bring live percussion back to the production.

But the biggest growth hasn’t just been musical.
It’s confidence.

You can see it in how she locks into a groove and stays there. Even when she makes a mistake, she doesn’t stop. She adjusts and keeps going.

That’s resilience.
That’s maturity.
That’s realizing you belong behind the kit.

This is what your ticket supports.
👉www.thedownbeatfoundation.org/mayjam

Address

Harrisburg, PA
17112

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17172296170

Website

http://thedownbeatfoundation.org/

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