CCM Instrument Drive Benefits Needy Kids

Do you have a musical instrument collecting dust? Your gift could provide the missing link for a promising young musician! Through the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music's (CCM)

Lonely Instruments for Needy Kids (LINKS)

program

, you can donate your used instrument to a promising young musician in need.

CCM holds its annual LINKS Collection Days on

Saturday, March 12

, and

Sunday, March 13

, at the

Joseph-Beth Booksellers

in the Rookwood Pavilion. The hours for the collection drive are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon – 5 p.m. on Sunday.

A project of

CCMpower

(formerly known as the Friends of CCM) in partnership with Buddy Roger’s Music, Joseph-Beth Booksellers and WGUC 90.9 FM, LINKS began in 1993 as the brainchild of CCM alumnus

Bill

Harvey

(BM Music Education, 1971).

The Vice President of Buddy Roger’s Music, Harvey wanted to fill the need for students whose parents were unable to buy, rent or borrow an instrument. The solution was somewhat simple: a “recycling program” for musical instruments.

LINKS accepts donations of new and used instruments from the Greater Cincinnati community, then places them with students in local elementary, middle and school bands and orchestras, as well as with students in CCM Preparatory‘s programs. Students are qualified by the recommendation of their music teacher, and a LINKS scholarship application is submitted in the student’s name.

“LINKS has been a life changing program,” Harvey observes. “We see the power of music on display every year as donors struggle to let go of an instrument that has spent decades in a closet. Their wonderful memories of playing the instrument, or watching their child play, are so strong and powerful. Still, their gift will not only let the instrument start making music again, it will also allow a young child to begin that same process of creating their own powerful memories.”

Since its inception, LINKS has placed over 3,000 instruments into the hands of children. Even if the instrument is not in perfect condition, donations are gladly accepted. Buddy Roger’s Music generously contributes the time to carefully clean, restore and tune each instrument.

All donations are tax deductible, and Joseph-Beth Booksellers will donate 20% of book sales and 10% of all cafe sales back to LINKS during the collection days.

Entertainment during the collection will be provided by local music students of all ages.

If you do not have an instrument, you can still assist young musicians who need a helping hand by making a contribution to the LINKS fund at

ccm.weshareonline.org/ws/opportunities/LINKS

.

“LINKS is proof-positive that music is the gift that keeps on giving,” says Harvey. “The donation of a single instrument will benefit both the donor and the recipient.”

For directions to Joseph-Beth Booksellers' Cincinnati location, please visit www.josephbeth.com/StoreHours. In addition to the March 12 and 13 collection days, instruments are accepted year-round at Buddy Roger’s Music. Call 513-729-1950 for information on store hours and locations. For more information on LINKS or to make a monetary donation, call the CCM External Relations Office at 513-556-2100.