|
Hungry for Music Notes
April 2021
|
|
|
|
Our first newsletter of 2021 is overdue. The delay is due in part to the continuous flow of music instruments that have been coming Hungry for Music’s way. A very nice problem to have when your outreach is distributing music instruments.
So far, we are keeping up with the influx thanks to the help of our staff and volunteers who have met our growth challenge with focused dedication.
Despite the challenges that Hungry for Music faced in 2020, we were still able to distribute over 1,100 instruments.
Currently, we have the largest inventory of ready-to-go instruments in our history, leaving us in a position to support more kids with music instruments when the new school year starts in Fall 2021. Submission requests open on July 1.
In the meantime, we will continue to grow our inventory and distribute to after-school and summer programs that have been promised.
I am grateful for your support of our instrument donation program for children that are hungry for music!
May you always find comfort in music,
Jeff Campbell
Hungry for Music
|
|
|
Musically Kicking-Off 2021! |
|
|
On New Year’s Day, Hungry for Music delivered 21 violins, violas, and cellos to OrchKids.
OrchKids is a year-round, during and after school, music program designed to create social change and nurture promising futures for youth in Baltimore City neighborhoods.
OrchKids now works with nine public schools in Baltimore City, serving around 2,000 children and is an acknowledged leader in the El Sistema social change through music movement throughout the world and serves as a replicable model for other cities.
|
|
|
Volunteers Are Our Heroes |
|
|
April is National Volunteer Month and Hungry for Music would like to take this opportunity to let our volunteers know how much they mean to us! The bottom line? Hungry for Music couldn’t do what it does without their help and support. Period. |
|
|
Above: HFM’s Long Island volunteer, Rob Gerver, on a recent drop-off of instruments he has collected. |
|
|
Before the pandemic, Rob organized music instrument drives at his band, Just Sixties, gigs. He tells me he really misses playing and looks forward to holding drives again. Thank you, Rob! |
|
|
Alison, a Junior at Randolph High School in New Jersey, recently held an instrument drive in her community and collected a van load of instruments! In this case a van load equals over 40.
Alison started the drive after joining a club at school called the Student Initiative Segment (SIS). In this club, students have the opportunity to lead their own project with their peers.
“I chose to collect instruments because of my strong personal connection with music. I play the violin, the piano, and I compose music for various instruments. I believe that access to music is vital, and that we should do everything in our power to provide everyone an equal opportunity to it. After starting the drive, I was surprised about how many people reached out about donating. It is awesome that Hungry for Music makes it so easy to provide something that can change someone’s life. I would definitely want to host another drive in the future, as it is amazing to be able to help others while pursuing my passions."
Great job, Alison, we appreciate you!
|
|
|
“All of us here are grateful for the generous in-kind contributions you have provided us. We could not do what we do if it weren’t for our partners, like you.”
~ The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center, HeartStrings and Valves program in Norfolk, Virginia |
|
|
|
|
Making A Bigger Difference Partnering |
|
|
Hungry for Music recently teamed up with Muriel Anderson’s Music for Life Alliance to bring guitars and keyboards to a couple of integral youth music education programs in Nashville, W. O. Smith Community Music School and Nashville School of Arts.
The Music For Life Alliance provides grants and fundraising support for non-profit organizations that provide instruments and/or lessons to kids who might not otherwise experience the joy of playing music.
|
|
|
|
|
Hungry for Music has donated over 225 music instruments and equipment to Rock to the Future in 2020/21. They are doing amazing work in the Philadelphia area and we are happy to support them.
"W
e can't thank Hungry for Music enough for partnering with Rock to the Future. Our programs have grown to serve hundreds of youth each year with the donations provided from Hungry for Music, and we are able to place guitars, bass guitars, amps, keyboards, drumsets, and more directly into the hand of youth from underserved Philadelphia communities.
Through the annual Hungry for Music Showcase, our students have the opportunity of a lifetime to perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside other talented young musicians from across the country. Through music, our students are building confidence, igniting creativity, and learning life skills. With Hungry for Music, we are preparing the next generation for all stages!"
~Jessica Craft, Founder + Executive Director of Rock to the Future
|
|
|
Above: Classy was the Rock Star of the month at Rock to the Future and received one of the top quality ukeleles that donor Richard Shirley contributed to HFM. |
|
|
Hungry for Music is grateful to have a place to bring our donated accordions! Jack Brantley & Stephanie assess, repair, and find homes for these big beautiful music makers at Accordionology!
|
|
|
We are excited to have one of our stories included in “88 More Ways Music Can Change Your Life.”
Congratulations to Keep Music Alive Foundation’s Joann Pierdomenico and Vincent James for all the work they put into this very worthwhile book project.
You can order the book here.
Hungry for Music also receives a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book.
|
|
|
|
|
The “Tree of Harmony” by artist Bud Wilkinson standing tall after a snow storm in February, outside of Hungry of Music offices in Mount Jackson, Virginia.
HFM offices are in the background.
|
|
|
| |
|
Since becoming a non-profit 26 years ago, Hungry for Music has brought the healing quality of music to more than 15,000 children in 50 states and 31 countries through its musical instrument donation program. We appreciate everyone who has helped us along the way and could not fulfill our mission without the generosity of others.
If you are able, please donate funds, buy a t-shirt from our online store, or visit our website to find out about other ways you can support Hungry for Music. |
|
|
Miss a recent newsletter? Click the link to view past issues. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
