Foundation Headed by Former Tournament President Helps Pasadena Students Thrive Through Music

While some schools are able to provide enough musical instruments for student use, others cannot, prompting students to share or rent instruments.

The need of young and aspiring musicians for instruments is one of the reasons why former Tournament of Roses Brad Ratliff started Oboe Foundation together with his wife Susan. Its mission is to advocate for and support instrumental music programs in public schools. 

“What we do is that we work with our community and industry leaders to try and give as many opportunities for students to take advantage of everything that music offers,” said Brad Ratliff, president and founder of the Oboe Foundation.

Speaking to Pasadena Now, Brad recounted how years ago, his passion for music had led him to meet the woman with whom he would fall in love, who would become his wife. They met at Elliot Junior High School in Altadena while both were members of the school band. 

Being musicians themselves, the pair knew what music has to offer and their passion is to share the benefits that music has on children.

“It taught us self-discipline, the communication skills, how to work with small and large groups and how music provides leadership opportunities as well.” 

“So on our visit to all the Rose Parade bands, we were reminded of all of those life skills that music teaches. That’s why we created the Oboe Foundation. So the Tournament Roses was really a big part of getting this created,” said Brad.

According to Brad, Oboe Foundation focuses on the instructional and the developmental opportunities for students through different strategic partnerships, community association and educational outreach. 

The foundation believes that students involved in music programs are better prepared to enter adulthood.

Among the foundation’s programs is the Tools of Harmony, which allows students to lend instruments for free. “The kids are taught how to properly care for the instruments, so it’s just not passing out instruments. It’s teaching them responsibility, which is one of the fundamentals that we try to show that music teaches,” said Brad. 

The foundation also holds an annual event called Paz Jazz to provide an opportunity for student musicians in Pasadena Unified School District to perform for judges and attend clinics for jazz.  

Recently, the foundation has donated $2,500 to Sierra Madre Middle School to aid in the purchase of musical instruments.

“There just aren’t enough instruments for students to use. So the students either have to share instruments or buy instruments or rent instruments. And unfortunately, many families don’t have the resources to provide the instruments for the kids,” said Brad explaining why the donation went to the school.

In 2019, the foundation also donated $3,720 to the John Muir High School Band for the purchase of new band uniforms. 

To donate and for more information on Oboe Foundation, visit: https://www.oboefoundation.org/about-oboe-1