SRJO Teams Up to Collect Instruments for Kids and Provide Lessons

 The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra is teaming up with the Mills Music Company to provide free band instruments and lessons to needy kids in under-served school band programs in Seattle and surrounding regions.  This new effort is called the SRJO Jazz Scholars Program. 

Beginning with the SRJO's Count Basie 100th Birthday concert of April 2004, SRJO concert attendees have donated used clarinets, trumpets, saxophones, trombones, flutes, or other band instruments.  Mills Music has evaluated and repaired the instruments without charge, and inventoried them in the Mills Music computer system.  Music teachers have submitted names of deserving young students in need of instruments, and the SRJO matched each instrument  with a student.

The SRJO is now providing free instrument lessons to kids in Seattle area schools with under-served music programs.  SRJO artists and approved SRJO associates are paid to provide high-level professional instruction at the schools.

"The SRJO is proud to be working with Mills Music, and several local charitable foundations that care a lot about kids in our community," said Michael Brockman, executive director of SRJO.  "Providing instruments and lessons to students interested in playing jazz coincides with our mission of making jazz a vital part of the community."

©SRJO - 2006