Music students and teacher Amy Gibson, at Rippowam Middle School, had their first look at some new instruments.

“Our music program shrunk during COVID, and since COVID, it’s gotten bigger and bigger every year, ” said Gibson.

She posted a Donors Choose project for $1,229.36 toward new band and string instruments.

News 12 and Optimum’s Friendship Bracelet program involved trading friendship bracelets to support music education in our schools.

News 12 and sister company Optimum surpassed its original DonorsChoose.org goal of $50,000, donating nearly $80,000 toward music programs in the tri-state.

Gibson’s class now has two brand-new violins and one new trumpet.

“I was excited! Having new instruments is important because there’s a lot of kids in this school and there’s a lot of instruments and they’re not going to always last forever,” said eighth grader Lauren Arguello.

Statewide more than $15,000 were donated to nine projects in Stamford, Norwalk and Bridgeport.