The Cleveland Orchestra and four Cleveland nonprofit and public organizations have joined forces for “Play It Forward,” a three-month musical instrument donation drive. The drive was launched on January 21 during the Cleveland Orchestra’s free Community Open House at Severance Hall. The drive will bring musical instruments to children in Cleveland’s 9th Ward. The effort—a collaboration of the Cleveland Orchestra, Arts Cleveland, the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning, Cleveland City Council, and Cleveland Metropolitan School District—includes additional drop-off dates at Severance Hall on February 17 and March 9. Donated instruments will be assessed, repaired, and given to children participating in recreation center programs in Cleveland’s Glenville Neighborhood. The Cleveland Orchestra stated in a press release that the drive’s “vision and aspirational goal is to provide An Instrument for Every Child in the Cleveland area, enabling more children to play music and reap the lifelong benefits that music study provides.” All five organizations have substantial efforts underway to provide Cleveland children with access to music, music education, and the equipment needed to implement such programming.
Posted January 25, 2019
