DENVER — The Bringing Music to Life (BMTL) instrument drive has had one mission for the past 14 years: provide musical instruments to underserved students who otherwise would not be able to do so across the state.
The nonprofit organization collects gently used band and orchestra instruments, has them cleaned and repaired, and then distributes them to Title 1 schools and districts across the state.
“It’s just so important to give students access to the life-changing experience of creating music,” said BMTL executive director Christine Andresen. “So many schools have had to cut their budgets and so the arts programs have really suffered.”
9NEWS partners with Bringing Music to Life, which asks people to donate their used instruments to benefit students in struggling music programs across Colorado. Last year, the drive collected about 1,100 instruments. Since it started, BMTL estimates about 20,000 students from more than 300 music programs have benefited.
“Everything we collect goes to a child who otherwise would not be able to buy or rent an instrument of their own,” Andresen said. “We want to make sure that we’re giving them opportunities instead of obstacles.”
The drive will be collecting instruments at 15 collection sites statewide. One of the donation sites is Luther Strings, a violin shop in Denver. For the past three years, they’ve not only collected donations but have also cleaned and repaired string instruments like violins, violas, cellos and basses.
“It’s just a crazy time of year and we love it,“ Luther said. “We need to make sure that they tune well, they play well, they’re responsive so that they don’t hold the student back and the student does not lose their love for the instrument that they want to play so badly.”
Last year, the string shop serviced about 200 instruments for the drive and hope to repair more this year. Luther said when he opens their cases, he discovers a story.
“Each (instrument) has its own unique history,” Luther said. “Sometimes it’s their grandma’s and they immigrated from another country and had it in the family and just don’t have anywhere to put it anymore.”
The instruments collected from the drive will be distributed to schools in August with the hope that the donations will be music to the ears of students across the state. The group is also collecting cash donations on their website that offsets the cost of repairs and distribution.
“This is a way for them to have the instruments (and) to give children an opportunity,” Andresen said. “I just love kids having access to things that can make them into the best people they can be.”
To donate a used instrument or funds that Bringing Music to Life uses to repair and refurbish the instruments, visit their website.
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