The students of Checotah High School in Checotah, Oklahoma received some back-to-school excitement when country-singing superstar Carrie Underwood made a surprise visit to her old school.

Armed with a donation of 31 new music instruments – worth more than $100,000 – the American Idol winner and multi-platinum selling artist clearly hasn’t forgotten her down-home roots.

The donation came thanks to the Academy of Country Music’s Lifting Lives charity and Carrie’s C.A.T.S. Foundation (Checotah Animal, Town, and Schools), which gives back to causes in her hometown. After being introduced by her elementary school music teacher, Carrie was joined by a fifth-grade student to perform her hit “So Small.”

You can join Carrie, whose nearest and dearest cause is animal welfare, by organizing an instrument collection drive in your school or town.

Does your music program need saving? We’ll give you money to revive a failing program or start one at your school.