End of Summer Newsletter

I joke with friends and colleagues that the Hungry for Music Distribution Center is like the post office, but instead of letters and parcels constantly flowing in and out, it’s musical instruments and equipment.  It’s a nice challenge to have when your mission is providing music instruments to underserved children in the United States and abroad.   

 

Because of the steady pace, we set a goal of distributing 5,000 instruments in 2024.  So far, we are just shy of 2,000, with four months to go.  

 

Currently, we are in the middle of our request period for Title One school music teachers and we're receiving many requests. The volume of school requests has been consistently increasing every year. After the school request period is over in mid-October, we will be making several more distribution trips in November and December to help us reach our goal.

 

I’m grateful for the support that Hungry for Music receives to continue our vital mission. The story items below show our outreach in action.  Thirty years of baby steps brought us to this point and Hungry for Music will continue to increase the number of lives we touch with the powerful gift of music.   

 

Thank you for being a part of it.

 

May you always find comfort in music, 

 

Jeff Campbell 

School Has Begun!

Hungry for Music’s instrument request period for Title One Schools began in August and we’ve been busy shipping out instruments to fill the requests we've received.  

 

First shipments for the 2024 school year going out! 

Instrument Distribution Trips

Since our last newsletter, Hungry for Music has made several distribution/pick-up trips across the United States planting musical seeds.  Below is a synopsis of the trips.  Please visit the Hungry for Music Facebook page for more detailed information and photographs. 
West Coast

First stop on latest West Coast trip.  Another delivery to Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM).

Last stop on the latest West Coast trip.  Young Musicians Foundation in Los Angeles.

Enriching Lives Through Music

Other Stops:

San Francisco Symphony, CA

Los Cenzontles

Harmony Project Oakland, CA

Pandan Bay Foundation, San Diego, CA

Loyalton Elementary, CA

Utah Military Academy, Lehi, UT

Mid-West 

“We love when Hungry for Music stops by!! Thanks for the clarinets!!”  

Rebecca Washington, Music Teacher, 

Western CUSD12, Barry, IL

Other Stops:

Detroit Harmony, MI 

Pick With Detroit, MI

Cleveland School of the Arts, OH

The People’s Music School, Chicago, IL

VanderCook College of Music OneCity Program, Chicago, IL

North East 

Double double bass delivery to Ann Campbell at Catamount Arts, in St. Johnsbury, VT.

Other Stops:

Center for Creative Education, Kingston, NY

Boys Prep Middle School, Bronx, NY

High School for Arts & Business, Corona-Queens, NY

Buffalo String Works, NY

Toms River Elementary School, NJ

Rosendale Street Festival, NY

South 

A delivery of violins and violas to Montgomery Music Project in Alabama.

Other Stops:

Austin Classical Guitar, TX

Pick With Austin, TX

Renzi Center, Shreveport, LA

Pass It On, New Orleans 

Louis Armstrong Summer Camp, New Orleans, LA

Quest Center for Arts & Community Development, Dickson, TN

These trips also included picking up instruments from donors, volunteers, and service project kids.  Not all stops are listed above. 

Hungry for Music is honored to receive the guitar collection of a builder who recently passed away in Indianapolis, IN.   
 
His wife wanted his guitars to go to support youth music education and her neighbor recommended us. 

Hungry for Music’s outreach is supported in a big way by music instrument drive service projects performed by teenagers. 

 

Here are a few of the latest ones:

Eamon Reilly’s Eagle Scout Service Project in York, PA was a huge success! Eamon collected over 75 instruments and raised over $2,000 in monetary donations. It’s one of the most successful service projects in HfM’s history! Great job, Eamon!   

 

Pictured is Eamon and his little brother, Henry, who helped load the van.

Dylan Huber in New Jersey conducted a music instrument drive for his community service hours required by his high school.  

 

Great job, Dylan!

Henry Eaton in San Carlos, CA collected a nice assortment of instruments in great condition for his Eagle Scout Service Project.    

 

Thank you, Henry!

A Record Number of International Donations 

Before 2024, Hungry for Music averaged around three to four international donations per year.  This year, we have already reached 14 international donations!  We are able to support programs internationally because a stateside sponsor takes care of everything to get the instruments to their destination.  Here are a couple of updates from recipients:

Thailand

"I am writing to share the profound impact your generous donation of 24 musical instruments had on our recent music camp for the Karen community, held from June 4, 2024, to June 13, 2024, at the Sunshine Learning Center (previously Sunshine Orphanage).

 

Your donation made a significant difference in many young lives, providing much more than music lessons; it gave participants a sense of dignity, pride, and belonging.

 

On behalf of the entire Karen community and the team at ASAPH Orchestra Project, we extend our deepest gratitude for your support.  With heartfelt thanks."

 

Gino Kim

Uganda

"Thank you for this grand gift! Your kindness has reached across the miles, offering a helping hand to our seminary in Uganda. With your support, our dreams have begun to take shape, and we feel truly blessed by your generosity.

 

You've brought them the gift of music—a radiant light that will guide and inspire them. Every note they now play, every chord they strum, has transformed their lives, filling their hearts with joy.  Their enthusiasm is a testament to the positive impact your gift has had on their education and future."

 

Rev. Fr. Thomas Sserwadda

St. Louis University

Help with Guitars
Hungry for Music receives A LOT of guitars that are assessed, repaired if needed, and then distributed to an individual or music program.  Luckily, we have several volunteers who do the assessments, set-ups, and repairs for us.   
 
In the last year, Josh Blauvelt in New York has serviced over 70 guitars.  Wow! Thank you, Josh!  Also, we are grateful to the D’Addario Foundation for providing all the strings to set-up the donated guitars. 

Major Repairs 

Having a place to bring instruments that need an overhaul is important to us to keep them flowing through the distribution center.  Hungry for Music currently donates to three repair schools who take in instruments that need major work or can be salvaged for parts.
 
In photo, volunteer Rod Nelson delivers a van load of instruments needing restoring to Colorado Institute of Musical Instrument Technology in Castle Rock, CO.
1975 Martin Guitar Raffle Winner 
 
The winner of the 1975 Martin D-18 acoustic guitar raffle is Nick Rodgers from Stuart, Virginia.  
 
Congratulations, Nick!

Reverb Store

You can support Hungry for Music by purchasing an instrument through our Reverb Store

 

Sales of these instruments help us with all costs associated with receiving, repairing, and distributing music instruments to individuals and programs.  

 

Thank you for your support.

Fall Event in Hudson Valley 

October 23

 

Instrument Drive with Spirit of Harmony Foundation in Bearsville, NY.

We will post more details soon on Facebook. 

Hungry for Music T-Shirts!
 
Support Hungry for Music by purchasing a T-shirt from our store.
Since becoming a non-profit 30 years ago, Hungry for Music has brought the healing quality of music to more than 22,000 children in 50 states and 35 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.
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