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Fall Newsletter
November 2023 |
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Where did the year go? It truly seems like the year just recently began, but I see the changes in the leaves and the calendar reads November! What?
The year has been an absolute blur. I feel like the plate-spinners that appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show long ago. Needless to say, it has been a busy and productive year at Hungry for Music as we continue to spread the joy of music to many children across the country and abroad.
Hungry for Music could not do what we do without the support of our staff, volunteers, and repair folks. It’s truly a team effort and I’m very grateful to the folks who help Hungry for Music carry out our mission.
Our partners, foundations, and individual donors are, of course, also integral to our mission. A recent donation of almost 4,000 music instruments from a closing rental company was facilitated by the D’Addario Foundation. This very generous gift from Ronni Ginott of Rayburn Music will allow us to support more music school teachers, after-school program directors, and social workers with the instruments to allow more children without the financial means to participate.
As Hungry for Music’s outreach continues to grow, your support is needed to help us provide the essential tools for children to pursue their love of music. Hungry for Music could not execute its mission with your support and I am very grateful.
May you always find comfort in music,
Jeff Campbell
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As mentioned above, we were blown away by the recent donation of nearly 4,000 music instruments by Ronni Ginott of Rayburn Music. It took us nine days to clear out a warehouse full of music in West Hartford, CT.
Now we will assess, inventory, and repair, if necessary, to prepare for distribution.
It’s a relief to know we have the inventory to fulfill the ever-growing number of instrument requests that we receive.
We have already been able to distribute hundreds of the instruments that were already in good condition. Over eight dozen violins and three upright basses went to our long time partner, Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) and over a dozen brass instruments (tuba, trumpets, coronets, trombones) went to Save Our Brass Culture in New Orleans.
Also, over two hundred instruments (violins, cellos, trombones, saxophones, French horns, trumpets) will go to support the D'Addario Foundation’s Immersive Music Challenge that will help school districts and charter systems throughout the country implement effective music-based mentoring programs.
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We had a great time at the Hungry for Music Open House & Concert last month. Attendees were treated to some great music from singer-songwriter Michael Schott and the bluegrass trio, The Workman Brothers (in photo).
Also performing were Junior Appalachian Musician instructors Jim Lloyd and Eric Pratt. We appreciate everyone’s support! |
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A big thank you to Diane Beckstead with Musicals for Change and the cast and behind the scenes staff of “Shh! At the Sugar Cube Cafe”.
They collected 50 instruments to support Hungry for Music and a portion of the DVD sales of the performance will also benefit us!
What an awesome project! Hungry for Music is grateful for everyone involved.
The show can be purchased by other directors to perform with their kids from Musicals for Change and JW Pepper in time for spring musical season. 10% of each show sold will be donated to Hungry for Music!
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Hungry for Music is fortunate to have talented DC area artist Bud Wilkinson contribute his creations to enhance the ambiance of our distribution center in Woodstock, VA.
Bud created the “Tree of Harmony” that originally was displayed in Mt. Jackson and has now evolved into the “Garden of Harmony” in Woodstock. Since there was no room to “re-plant” the tree at the new location, our landlord, Rhonda Hetzel, suggested that we place each side of the original tree against the side of our front building. As you can see from photo below, it worked beautifully!
Bud also created a bench and individual pieces from guitars smashed with his truck. Don’t worry! The guitars were junk. Instead of throwing them in the dump, the guitars live on as an artistic creation.
Thank you for sharing your talent with us, Bud!
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Hungry for Music’s instrument request period for Title One music teachers ended on October 15th. This year we shipped nearly 600 instruments that will provide children in 98 school programs in 32 states the opportunity to participate.
These are the first photos we’ve received from the 2023 request period. More smiles! 😀
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“Congratulations to Gelisa Austin and Methee Promprakai. Due to their dedication to not only the Howard Music Program, but also the Orangeburg Wilkinson SC Orange Pride Band. Ms. Hodges nominated them to get free instruments from Hungry for Music.
This means every Baby Bruin that is a part of the Orange Pride now owns their own instrument.“
- Orange Pride Director in Orangeburg, SC
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Hungry for Music is supporting aspiring music educators with instruments to pursue their passion. We recently gifted a high schooler in Idaho with a tuba so he can pursue music education in college.
“Music is very personal, after a stressful day at school I go home and play my Tuba. Everyone has their escape, mine is music. Hungry for Music gave me an amazing opportunity to pursue music education in college on an excellent instrument that I wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise. Thank you so much!” - Grant
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From Grant’s band teacher, John Zieske:
“I heard about Hungry for Music from a parent in our community, and I'm so glad I did! I was impressed by the organization every step of the way: the online application was easy to fill out, a representative contacted me right away, and my student had an instrument in his hands within a month. Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers at Hungry for Music and to anyone who has donated to help them get instruments into the hands of kids!”
Follow this link to watch a local news feature on Grant and his tuba:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1534897697341137.
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Hungry for Music is grateful to Eagle Scout Ryan D’Orio from Troop 96 in Wantagh, NY.
“I am working on my Eagle project and I would like to collect and donate instruments to your organization. My goal is to collect at least 25 instrument donations (hopefully many more!) from my community. I will clean, repair and deliver all instruments collected to your organization.
Music has been an important part of my life and I hope that through these donations, people may experience what I do.”
Ryan collected 85 instruments, tripling his goal! Way to go! We appreciate our Long Island volunteer Rob Gerver for picking up the collection from Ryan.
Thank you, Ryan, for your awesome support of Hungry for Music!
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New Arrival!
Congratulations to our Operations Manager, Cassie Clark and her partner, Mikey, on the arrival of their baby girl, Cirilla Alizabeth Shenk. Isn’t she beautiful? |
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We would greatly appreciate your support on Giving Tuesday as we kick off our year-end fundraising campaign. Our needs continue to grow as our repair and distribution costs increase with the amount of instruments we receive. We also purchase instruments that we do not have in our inventory.
Your donation directly supports our instrument donation program that provides music instruments to individuals with financial need.
GIVE NOW
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Night of 100 Elvises
Elvis everywhere!
Get your tickets here.
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Hungry for Music T-Shirts!
You can support Hungry for Music by purchasing a T-shirt from our store.
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Since becoming a non-profit 29 years ago, Hungry for Music has brought the healing quality of music to more than 20,000 children in 50 states and 32 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. |
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Miss a recent newsletter? Click the link to view past issues. |
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