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.

Community Action

Bud Wilkinson Art 

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!

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! 😀

“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

Testimonials

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 

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!