San Leandro school children may be losing a music teacher and practice time next year due to budget cuts, but the music program just got some good news to celebrate.

Oakland-born percussionist and pop star Sheila E came through on a promise to help the San Leandro Unified School District’s struggling music program and is donating more than $20,000 worth of instruments and $11,000 in cash. 

Rick Richards, founder of the Keep Music Rockin' Foundation, which supports the music program, came home last week to find the instruments — 14 boxes’ worth — had been delivered to his doorstep. 

“She said she wanted to help, and she did come through, big time,” Richards said. The donation includes trumpets, saxophones, flutes, trombones, bongos and other instruments. 

Sheila E, well-known for her work with the artist formerly known as Prince, and her manager, Lynn Mabry, are co-founders of the Elevate Hope Foundation, which supports art and music programs for children, particularly as therapy for at-risk youths. The two visited with school district leaders and music teachers in February and were shocked to learn that a mere $8,000 is allocated to the music programs at San Leandro Unified’s 11 schools (not including teacher salaries).

Lincoln Continuation High School, the district’s alternative high school, has no music program.

To save money, the district is set to cut the fifth-grade band program in half for the 2011-12 school year, which would allow for just one 30-minute band practice session per week. 

One music teacher was on the list of layoffs announced by the district in May, however negotiations with the San Leandro Teachers Association are still ongoing.  

"When we first were made aware of the issues of the music program systematically disappearing before our eyes, we had to take action," said Mabry, who is originally from Berkeley, at an event held Monday at the new Arts Education Center at San Leandro High School.

“We know first hand the necessity of music and the arts for every child’s very development. You see, it is music that saved our very lives," Mabry said. "For Sheila it was her father who exposed her to percussion. For me, it was a family member who insisted I use my voice and sing. Where would we be if music were not made available to us?" 

After Monday's presentation, Sheila E, along with her father — local Latin jazz legend, Pete Escovedo — brother Juan Escovedo, and keyboardist Victoria Theodore played “Oye Como Va” with the high school jazz band. 

You can watch a video of the event here.