When Grand Meadow Director of Bands Jessie Christian picks up his baton to conduct his high school band, he looks out and sees 15 faces.

A small band, yes, but he also knows that he has 73 musicians in fifth and sixth grades who are all potential high school musicians someday.

Today, those fifth and sixth graders have a bigger incentive to stay with the program: They have their pick of instruments, free of charge, thanks to a partnership between the district and the Grand Meadow Education Foundation.

A total of 65 instruments, valued at about $16,000, were given to the young musicians recently, from flutes and clarinets, to saxophones, trumpets and percussion.

“We had a few instruments already, but not many,” Christian said. “This really helped us provide an instrument for every student.” The instruments were delivered last week.

“I play the drums because it’s fun and that’s pretty much what I would play if I ever wanted to join a band,” explained sixth grader Ty Laufenberg, 12. “I might try the saxophone someday too.”

Kendyl Queensland, 11, also chose percussion.

“Everyone gets to play songs you didn’t know how to play before,” she said.

Christian said the ability for parents to pay for or lease instruments — some whose cost runs into the $500 to $1,500 range — can sometimes get in the way of students being part of a band.

Supterintendent Paul Besel said he did not want to see that happen, since 11- and 12-year-olds should be able to participate and try new things.

“Music is an important part of everyone’s life,” he said. “And providing a balanced approach for kids at a younger age helps provide lifelong learning experiences for them. We want to make sure we remove any roadblocks to those experiences.”

Christian also knows that a student’s ability to love music early on pays dividends later. The elementary program, required of all students, helps establish a feeder program to the high school program.

“Without  a strong elementary band, your high school band will slowly fade,” Christian said.

Isabelle Fretty, 12, plays the clarinet and so far, “we’ve only learned the notes,” she said. “But we are going to start playing together and learn songs. It’s going to  be fun.”

Trevor Gehling, 11, agreed. He plays the clarinet too.

“It’s pretty fun and you get to hear music you guys made,” he said.