Total Instruments Delivered
Music4Life™ has delivered 163 full-size and ready-to-play musical instruments, plus 1,290 recorders for our program with the Seattle Symphony, all valued at $118,758 to its 14 participating public school districts since Sept. 1, 2023. All instrument values are after repairs have been completed and are estimated by our independent third-party vendor/experts.
Intended for use by the students of income-qualified families, each instrument is a “loaner” that must be returned when the student leaves the school district (due to graduation, family moves to another school district, etc.) so another student of a family in-need can benefit from its use.
2024 “Blues ‘n Brews Festival” in Des Moines
The annual Poverty Bay "Blues ‘n Brews Festival" is scheduled for August 24th at the Des Moines Beach Park. A production of the Des Moines/Normandy Park Rotary Club, Blues ‘n Brews again features four prominent blues bands to entertain you all day starting at 11:00 a.m. Also featured will be local craft brews, cider, wine and cocktails. Tickets starting at $45 each are available online right now. 100 percent of net proceeds support the causes powered by Des Moines/Normandy Park Rotary, including the Highline Music4Life program. This event is a REAL HOOT, so don’t miss it!
New Chapters Serve the Issaquah & Sultan School Districts
Students attending public schools in Issaquah and Sultan become our 13th and 14th chapters of Music4Life. Ready-to-play musical instruments are already being delivered to Issaquah Public Schools for Issaquah Music4Life. Music4Life Treasurer Andrew Face does double duty as Founding President of the Issaquah Chapter. The Founding President of the new Sultan-area chapter is Cheryl Ricevuto. ”Sky Valley Music4Life” is the official chapter name for Sultan area students and is in the early stages of rollout.
Music4Life Is A Community Service Program
Music4Life has been serving students in the Puget Sound area since 2007. We are financially supported by many local Rotary clubs, such as the Rotary Club of Kent (recent financial donation of $1,500) and the Rotary Club of Issaquah ($2,000). The key word in that last sentence is “supported.” Rotary clubs support Music4Life but don’t own it. Many other organizations and individuals support us, as well, and all are welcome. Kiwanis; Lions; Soroptimists; Chambers of Commerce; and many others. Not to be forgotten is the donation of $2,500 by the Everett Cultural Arts Commission. Even though we’ve provided thousands of musical instruments since being created, we know that we’re still just scratching the real need that’s out there. Join us, won’t you?!
Anonymous Financial Donations Received
Two large financial donations have been received recently. Both are anonymous. One family foundation recently sent us a check for $5,000. A week later came a second check for $10,000. At the donor’s request, both are dedicated to our Chapters in Snohomish County. Another “unrestricted” check for $26,000 came from a family foundation saying they will make it annually. We are considering using these funds to tune pianos throughout our entire 14 Chapter system. Pianos, BTW, that haven’t been tuned in years! The foundation instrument for every music program, pianos are integral to concerts, solo or ensemble accompaniment and even for chorales.
Every Instrument Comes in A Case
Students need to take their musical instruments home with them for extra practice. That means transport on a bus, in a car or just walking. Protected from the elements. Therefore, every instrument also comes in a serviceable case. Sometimes an instrument is donated to us without a case. So we either get one from our stock of available instrument cases or we buy one for it.
Looking for Governing Board Members
Music4Life seeks volunteer Governing Board members. Those who share our values of “kids,” “instrumental music” or “education" are welcome to apply. We particularly seek those with marketing, development (fund raising) or finance expertise. Also welcome are those who are interested in service on one of our 14 local Chapter teams. If one of these describes you, just contact us at David@Music4Life.org.
