Donated instruments strike a chord for students in need

Scott Barnes Mayor Earling DAvid Endicott Kory DeMun and Nick Brossoit
Edmonds Music4Life chair Dave Endicott (center) presents the first two instruments — a clarinet and a saxophone — to the Edmonds Public Schools. (L to R), Scott Barnes, Edmonds Schools Manager of Visual and Performing Arts; Edmonds Mayor Dave Earling; Endicott; Kory DeMun Edmonds School Board Member and Nick Brossoit, Edmonds School District Superintendent.

Edmonds Schools Superintendent Nick Brossoit, Edmonds Mayor Dave Earling and school district officials Thursday accepted the first musical instruments intended for children of low-income families in the Edmonds School District.

The instruments come from the Edmonds Music4Life program.

Supported by local Rotarians and businesses including Caldwell Banker, Kennelly Keys, and the Edmonds Center for the Arts, the program’s goals are to put musical instruments in good working condition into the hands of children who might not otherwise have had the opportunity. The program also works to procure instruction and supplies, and strengthen the elementary music program in the Edmonds Public Schools.

Music4Life began in 2007 and has already provided hundreds of instruments to the Seattle, Shoreline and Highline schools. This is the first year the program will operate in Edmonds.

“Edmonds Music4Life will begin by providing instruments to fifth graders who qualify for the free and reduced-lunch program,” said Edmonds Music4Life chair Dave Endicott. “Currently 40 percent of Edmonds Public Schools students who participate in instrumental music programs are eligible, and we intend to help as many of those as possible.”

This program hits home for Edmonds Mayor Dave Earling, who ran Shoreline Community College’s instrumental music program before becoming mayor. “I have personally seen the benefits music can bring to young people,” he said. “I applaud the creativity of the Edmonds Music4Life program, and look forward to it touching and enriching many lives in our community.”

Music4Life acquires instruments mostly by donation. Many of these have been sitting in closets for years.

“We gratefully accept these instruments, repair them as needed, and donate them to the Edmonds schools where they are put in the hands of students ready to use them,” Endicott said.

If you would like to learn more, or have an instrument you would like to donate, donation forms and instructions are available on the Edmonds Music4Life website. Edmonds Music4Life is a 501c(3) organization, so in most cases your donation is tax-deductible.

– Story by Larry Vogel

After filling out the donor form, used musical instruments can be dropped-off at any Kennelly Keys Music store, Edmonds School District headquarters at 20420 68th Avenue West in Lynnwood, the administrative office of the Edmonds Center for the Arts or at either the Edmonds or Lynnwood offices of Coldwell Banker Bain. For more information or to donate an instrument to Edmonds Music4Life, contact David@DavidEndicott.us or call 206-409-3275 or go to Edmonds Music4Life website.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Real first and last names — as well as city of residence — are required for all commenters.
This is so we can verify your identity before approving your comment.