WSMC station manager Scott Kornblum is asking the community to donate unused instruments to the Play it Forward drive.A flute, violin and guitar may sound like the makings of an ensemble – and they are – but they’re also part of a concerted effort to put instruments in the hands of local children.
Two months ago, Collegedale-based WSMC-FM Classical 90.5 asked the community to help stock instrument lockers in Hamilton County Schools by donating to its Play It Forward musical instrument drive. Scott Kornblum, WSMC general manager, welcomed any instrument tucked away in closets or attics – woodwind, percussion, brass, keyboard or string, the latter including guitars, banjos and harps as well.
Stephen Kolderup and wife Janice Hiland were in the Tivoli Theatre audience at the taping of the NPR radio program “From The Top” when the drive was announced. They’ve donated a flute, violin and guitar to the campaign.
“I played flute, Jan played guitar and the violin was one of our son’s practice violins,” Kolderup said. “We raised two sons who play violin who really benefited from a good music education. We want that for any student in Chattanooga who wants it. This sounds like a very positive program to put instruments in the hands of students.”
With two weeks left to go, the campaign still has a ways to go to meet its goal of 200 instruments. As of late last week, 40 instruments had been collected, Kornblum said.
The drive ends April 30.
The instruments don’t have to be in top shape, he noted. Two music store owners have volunteered to help refurbish any that aren’t.
“Jonathan Cathell at Consistent-C Winds in Red Bank and Dixie Huthmaker at Huthmaker Violins in Duluth, Ga., are donating what they can in terms of labor,” said Kornblum.
A $25,000 grant from the McKenzie Foundation is funding repair costs, and any instruments that schools can’t use or aren’t worth repairing will be donated to the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera’s petting zoo, he said. The “zoo” allows youngsters to handle instruments and try their skill at playing them.
“So those instruments will still be put to good use in arts education,” said Kornblum.
The station manager said he has spoken with Hamilton County Schools officials to determine the schools with the greatest need. Also, any music educator in need of instruments for a school program can fill out an application on WSMC’s website.
“Some are going to Howard High School, which desperately needs them, and its feeder schools, East Lake and Calvin Donaldson,” said Kornblum.
For more information, check the website at WSMC.org.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 757-6284