Country star Carly Pearce surprises Bearden Middle School students with instruments

Areena Arora, Knoxville News Sentinel
·1 min read
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There are few places in the world that have more energy than when country music fans see their favorite singer or when a bunch of a middle schoolers get together. But what happens when both scenarios collide?

Bearden, Gresham and Vine middle school students received more than $180,000 worth of new musical instruments for their bands this week. The grants were a gift from the Country Music Association Foundation and the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.

The schools held special surprise events for students to reveal the instruments, and one had an exciting twist. At Bearden Middle School on April 26, country music star Carly Pearce joined the fun.

Pearce reminded her youngest fans to chase their dreams, no matter how difficult they might seem.

When she asked the crowd of students how many of them knew what they want to be when they grow up, almost all of them raised their hands.

"When I was your age," she said, "I dreamed of being a country music singer and I’m now a country music singer. Whatever dream you have, you can start working towards that now."

What instruments did each school receive?

Bearden Middle School

$26,208 donation value

  • 7 violins

  • 6 violas

  • 5 cellos

  • 2 double bass

Gresham Middle School

$100,358 donation value

  • 8 flutes

  • 1 oboe

  • 1 bassoon

  • 8 clarinets

  • 2 bass clarinets

  • 4 alto saxophones

  • 2 tenor saxophones

  • 4 French horns

  • 8 trumpets

  • 6 trombones

  • 4 euphoniums

  • 2 tubas

Vine Middle Magnet School

$55,044 donation value

  • 6 flutes

  • 1 bassoon

  • 5 clarinets

  • 3 trumpets

  • 5 trombones

  • 4 euphoniums

  • 1 tuba

  • 1 concert bass drum

  • 8 bell kits

  • 1 xylophone

  • 1 temple block set

Areena Arora, data and investigative reporter for Knox News, can be reached by email at areena.arora@knoxnews.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @AreenaArora.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Country star Carly Pearce surprises Knoxville students with instruments