The Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Education accepted three Save the Music Foundation grants for the 2026–27 school year, bringing approximately $240,000 for musical instruments and music technology equipment at Whittier Elementary, Wilson Elementary, and Estancia High School.

Through the Core Mariachi Grant, Whittier Elementary will receive instruments including three guitarróns, 6 vihuelas, 9 classical guitars, 12 violins, and 6 trumpets, plus related accessories and uniforms. Wilson Elementary School will receive 22 violins, eight violas, and six cellos, thanks to the Core Strings B Grant. Both schools will also get music stands and racks, books on how to play the instruments, and subscriptions for their respective music teachers to MakeMusic, an online music education and practice platform.

Estancia received the J Dilla Music Technology Grant, which includes curriculum, equipment, and software to create, record, and produce electronic music and podcasts. 

During the 2025-26 school year, Killybrooke Elementary and TeWinkle Middle School were the first NMUSD schools to receive Core Band and Orchestra grants from the Save the Music Foundation. 

Grants such as these support the expansion of music education opportunities by increasing student access to high-quality instruments and modern music production tools. Named by the NAMM Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education, NMUSD believes it’s important for every student to have access to visual and performing arts opportunities.