Many studies have demonstrated the value of music in the educational process, from academic, intellectual, artistic, and social standpoints. While some schools are able to maintain a wide range of enrichment programs including music, too many others are experiencing tight budgets, diminishing tax bases, and other limitations. When music programs are cut back, the cost of instruments is often a major factor in these decisions.

Through a successful partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, organizations across Pennsylvania are offering musical instruments to local schools and organizations. The concept of Jump Street, an organization in the Harrisburg area, the “Gift of Music” program has evolved from one locale to numerous entities throughout the Commonwealth. It targets needy students and at-risk youth, attempting to enhance and enrich their lives and education.

Local 45 (Lehigh Valley, PA) is proud to have several of its member organizations spearheading and implementing the project in the local’s jurisdiction. SATORI, a regional chamber music ensemble, leads the initiative, with Local 45 members the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra and the Marine Band of Allentown as local partners.

The Gift of Music collects, restores, and distributes band and orchestra instruments to students who may be unable to afford the often prohibitive cost of buying or renting a musical instrument. Many of the local music retailers who repair and refurbish the instruments are also members of Local 45.

Gift of Music instruments are collected at a variety of participating businesses, concert venues, and community organizations. Local instrument repair shops recondition the instruments, which are then distributed to area schools and organizations where there is a recognized need for them.

Jump Street’s initial program started in the spring of 2001. In the first months alone, it collected, refurbished, and distributed 100 instruments, with a total value of approximately $30,000. SATORI of Lehigh Valley implemented a program in March. Within four months of operation, SATORI and its partner organizations collected 32 instruments, which, after refurbishment, were then distributed to seven different music programs including the local Hispanic American League of Arts, which works with inner-city Hispanic youth to promote and develop their music and cultural heritage.

Another school benefiting from the program, the Ronal Brown School, never previously had any instruments or even a band for students to participate in. Through the program, the school received 40 instruments, and created a band with three part-time instructors.

Jump Street is now in the process of assisting nine other communities across Pennsylvania in starting their own Gift of Music programs. By the end of a two-year expansion, there will be thousands of young people learning and playing, along with scores of jobs being created. A true community initiative, the program is demonstrating admirable success in bring the “Gift of Music” and renewed opportunities for music education to today’s youth.