On Thursday, November 13, the Mountain View High School band room filled with the sound of guitars and the excitement of a community coming together to celebrate creativity. Breedlove Guitars, Central Oregon’s own homegrown guitar maker, presented a gift of 75 (Roughly $65k in value) guitars to Bend-La Pine Schools, a donation made possible in collaboration with Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO).
Students, parents, teachers, and supporters gathered as Breedlove co-owners Pete Mroz and Shannon Pollard performed for the audience and spoke about the power of music to shape young lives. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with students leaning forward to watch closely as the musicians played, proving that inspiration can happen right in a public school band room.
These guitars will soon be incorporated into music programs throughout the district, expanding access for students who may be just discovering their interest in music. Teachers noted that having quality instruments available opens the door to larger classes and gives more students the confidence to participate fully. For many kids, this donation means their first real guitar — their first chords, their first riffs, their first spark of artistic possibility.
Mroz, a nationally recognized singer-songwriter and alumnus of NBC’s “The Voice,” shared how music gave him direction and a sense of purpose when he was young. Pollard, a lifelong advocate for music and the grandson of country legend Eddy Arnold, reflected on the profound role that arts programs play in building strong, healthy communities where creativity can flourish.
Breedlove will continue supporting the instruments as the official repair and service partner for the district, reinforcing their belief that this donation is a long-term investment in students, teachers, and the future of music in Central Oregon.
Moments like this remind us why music education matters. It encourages self-expression. It builds confidence. It brings people together. And sometimes, all it takes is putting a well-made instrument in a young person’s hands to open a world of possibility.
Be Love. Breedlove.
