Arts & Entertainment

Community Band Asking for Instrument Donations

The Gift of Music program has donated more than 600 instruments to local students.

Once again, the St. Louis Park Community Band is asking for the community's support in getting musical instruments into the hands of students who might not otherwise be able to afford them.

Through the band's Gift of Music program, more than 600 youngsters have received instruments since the early 1990s.

Jim Rhodes, the band's president, said the program's impetus was a phone call from a mother, asking if he knew where she might find her child an affordable instrument as times got tough for the family. Since then, Rhodes has taken instrument donations and made sure they fall into the hands of those who need them most—young people.

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"Ever since that phone call I thought, 'Boy, we really have to do something about this,'" Rhodes said. "The idea behind Gift of Music is that kids should get to play music without money being an issue."

The band is asking anyone who may have a used instrument to donate it, regardless of its condition. Instruments will be cleaned, repaired and readied for an eager student. The nonprofit St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts will send a donation receipt for tax purposes. 

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Information about donating an instrument is available here. You can also call Rhodes at 952-933-1325.

You can read more about the Gift of Music and .


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