Following the successful instrument drives at Ace Hotel properties in Chicago and Pittsburgh, the D’Addario Foundation and Hungry for Music are back, this time to partner with the Ace Hotel in DTLA for a west coast instrument collection event. In the City of Angels, the need to support independent arts programs bringing access to music education is particularly strong. In recent years the Los Angeles Unified School District had to slash budgets for arts education by up to 40%.
The D’Addario Foundation, Hungry for Music and Todd Rundgren’s Spirit of Harmony Foundation supports independent not-for-profits that develop free, immersive music instruction programs in neighborhoods hit hardest by budget cuts. These are neighborhoods where students would not otherwise have access to music education. Studies confirm that kids who are involved in music are 4 times more likely to stay in school and show improved academic achievement.
The instrument drive concept is simple; encourage the public to donate instruments no longer in use, then the not-for-profits cover the evaluation, repair and ultimately distribute those instruments to programs and students in need. “Lack of instruments in community-based music education programs means children on waiting lists, hoping for spots in these vital programs that also many times serve as a safe haven for at-risk kids. Donating an instrument is a very direct way to make an instant impact,” says Suzanne D’Addario Brouder, Executive Director of the D’Addario Foundation.
On July 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the D’Addario Foundation and Hungry for Music will be on hand on the beautiful rooftop of the Ace Hotel in downtown LA to collect gently used instruments. Upwards of 100 instruments have been collected at past events so there is no doubt that the LA community can reach or surpass this goal.
D’Addario Brouder adds: “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the Ace Hotels and appreciate their amazing commitment to supporting music education in their local communities.”
As grantmakers, the D’Addario Foundation vets hundreds of non-profit and school music programs that need monetary and product support. In California alone, the Foundation currently provides grants to over 30 organizations. They believe strongly in community efforts in areas of great need where immersive music education becomes a powerful tool for positive social change. Foundation-supported programs are proving their worth – with positive academic and social outcomes for students, especially those most at-risk and needing a safe, nurturing community to grow and express themselves.
For those with instrument donations unable to attend these events, the Foundation recommends Instruments in the Cloud, an online giving platform that connects donors directly with classrooms in need.
