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Hungry for Music Notes
Winter into Spring Newsletter
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It's already March! When I last checked in, it was just over three months ago and a lot has happened at Hungry for Music since then.
In 2024, we distributed 3,006 music instruments, over 700 more than in 2023. The instrument and distribution breakdown is below, thanks to Hungry for Music Operations Manager, Cassie Clark, who keeps up with every instrument that flows in and out of our distribution center.
The number of musical instruments coming through our doors from individuals, service projects, and group projects has been challenging to process, but the Hungry for Music team has been up to it. With the Instrument Request period beginning this week, we have a large inventory of instruments ready to go. A better position than we were in last year.
We have not been accepting requests the last couple of months to allow us to rebuild our depleted inventory and prepare for another busy request period. Despite currently accepting no requests, we still have been distributing instruments to our ongoing partners and waiting list requests. I am very grateful for the constant flow of instruments to our program, as it means that we will be able to support more individuals and programs with a potential life-changing tool.
I greatly appreciate any support to our musical instrument outreach program.
Currently, we are raffling a Justin Johnson shovel guitar (details at the end of the newsletter) to help with our repair and distribution costs. Take a chance on winning this very unique instrument while helping out Hungry for Music.
Until next time …
May you always find comfort in music,
Jeff Campbell
Hungry for Music
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Hungry for Music musical instruments distributed in 2024: 3,006
2023 total: 2,272
Where the instruments went:
43 States
184 School Programs
68 After-School Programs
14 International Programs
Some of the instruments distributed included:
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Accordion - 14
Alto Saxophone - 100
Amplifiers/Speakers - 53
Appalachian Dulcimer - 13
Banjo - 18
Bass Guitar (Acoustic, Electric, & Acoustic/Electric) - 41
Bass Clarinet - 5
Bongos - 4
Cello - 126
Clarinet - 175
Congas - 3
Cornet - 11
Djembe Drum - 5
Drum Set (Acoustic) - 34
Electric Drum Set - 13
Electric Piano - 61
Euphonium/Baritone - 13
Flute - 137
French Horn - 23
Guitar, Acoustic (Including junior sizes and left-handed) - 120
Guitar, Acoustic/Electric (Including junior sizes and left-handed) - 16
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Guitar, Classical - 50
Guitar, Electric (Including junior sizes and left-handed) - 78
Harp - 5
Mandolin - 9
Marching Drum - 7
Marimba - 3
Oboe - 12
Piccolo - 5
Recorders - 57
Snare Drum/Percussion Kits - 35
Tabla - 7
Tambourine - 65
Tenor Saxophone - 6
Trombone - 91
Trumpet - 160
Tuba - 2
Ukulele (Baritone, Concert, Soprano) - 31
Upright Bass - 22
Viola - 246
Violin - 749
Xylophone - 13
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First Instrument Donation 2025
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Two Yamaha basses
Two small acoustic guitars
Two electric guitars
One Daisy Rock guitar
Donated to Delta Blues Museum after-school music program in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Hungry for Music also made a donation here in 2017.
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This is Bear. As a kid, he participated in The Roots of Music. Now, he helps run it, serving as the Band Director.
This week, Hungry for Music delivered two cornets to The Roots of Music. One was a very special cornet, donated by the widow of Alan “Mr. Fabulous” Rubin. Alan Rubin was a trumpet player for the Saturday Night Live Band and The Blues Brothers.
Hungry for Music collected the cornet in an instrument drive that was conducted in conjunction with Todd Rundgren receiving the key to the Village of Bearsville, New York. We appreciate being asked to participate in the special event by Todd’s charity, Spirit of Harmony Foundation.
Hungry for Music has provided brass instruments to Roots of Music since 2009, helping them supplement their instrument inventory and allowing some kids to have their very own instrument.
Hungry for Music has worked with the Spirit of Harmony Foundation since 2017, when Todd’s fans stepped up in a very big way to support the first Hungry for Music promotional tour with Big Bertha, the Magic Music Bus, collecting over 300 music instruments.
We are very grateful to Mary Moreno Rubin for trusting us with Alan’s cornet. His spirit will live on through this horn.
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We always appreciate receiving feedback from recipients who let us know the impact of the music instruments donated.
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“Sincere and heartfelt thanks for the incredible donation of band instruments to Weldon High School's marching band. This past weekend was truly a milestone for their students. They participated in two Christmas parades - one in Enfield and another in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Mr. Manning was thrilled to share that they placed 2nd in the Enfield Christmas parade! What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that many of these students had never played an instrument before being under Mr. Manning's direction. Your generosity has been transformative. These instruments have not just provided musical tools, but have opened up an entirely new world of experience and opportunity for their students. Watching them march, perform, and beam with pride was a moment Mr. Manning will never forget.
As a dedicated band director, Mr. Manning is acutely aware that he cannot do this work alone. It takes compassionate organizations like Hungry for Music to make these dreams possible. Your donation has given these young musicians a chance to explore, learn, and grow in ways they never imagined."
Sincerely,
Ali Darrough
On Behalf of Jolly Manning
Weldon High School Band Director
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“The young freshman in the picture was the first student in our band to use one of Hungry for Music's instruments provided to us! This is one of the many trade schools in Massachusetts where I am stressing the importance of arts in trades and using musical "tools" to learn technical, hands-on skills from the music room by applying them in their trade and life in general!
Endless THANK YOUs for helping make hands-on music accessible!!!
Dr. Colton R. Cox
Music & Career Enrichment,
Blackstone Valley Technical High School |
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HFM Featured in Mountain Courier
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Hungry for Music was featured in the February issue of the Mountain Courier.
We appreciate Mountain Courier writer Susan Montgomery for taking the time to find out about Hungry for Music and sharing with her readers.
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Hungry for Music is very lucky to have some awesome volunteers who take the time to support our mission. We couldn’t do what we do without their collective help. Here are a few of the all-stars, who go above and beyond. Gratitude.
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Gene Feight
Gene is a retired mental health professional who comes into our distribution center once a week to help with string repairs and helping organize our large inventory of string instruments. He also takes at least a half-dozen stringed instruments with him to repair at home.
We love having Gene’s generous and positive energy around.
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Bill Fennell
Bill repairs guitars, accepts donation drop-offs, and does instrument pick-ups. It’s a family affair at the Fennell household!
"My son Will has been assisting with the repairs. My daughter, Grace has
joined me for a few pickups! Kate, of course, is the organizer!” Bill Fennell
We are touched by the Fennells’ support.
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Kay Coyte
Kay has been working with Hungry for Music for over 15 years and we are blessed to have her support. She is currently the Louisville liaison to the many programs that we support there and helps with distribution, among other things!
We greatly appreciate Kay’s support and friendship over the years!
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Keepin’ the Music Instrument Train Rolling
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On a recent delivery trip through Southern Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, Hungry for Music delivered 141 music instruments to school and after-school programs as well as picked up instruments. We left with a full van of instruments and came back with a full van! |
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St. Louis Classical Guitar, one of many deliveries on recent distribution trip
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Washington Post Story
Brendan Wheeler organized such an awesome instrument drive for his Eagle Scout service project that The Washington Post did a story!
Then, ABC News Live saw the story and interviewed Brendan and Hungry for Music Director, Jeff Campbell, about his project. Result, A LOT more instrument donations.
Way to go, Brendan!
Read the Article (paywall)
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Aiden White from Arlington, Virginia is another Eagle Scout who organized an awesome instrument drive for his service project.
Photo: Aiden with a donated Oud.
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A Partnership Brewing
Groovy Brew is donating a portion of their coffee sales to support Hungry for Music’s instrument donation program!
“With every cup, Groovy Brew brings peace, love, and damn good coffee to your day—while helping kids discover the life-changing power of music.”
Thank you, Groovy Brew!
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A Zydeco Instrument Drive
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Hungry for Music is honored to be invited to hold an instrument drive in conjunction with Zydeco legend Roy Carrier being inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
This occasion will be celebrated on Saturday April 26, 2025, at the Yambilee Center Hall in Opelousas.
The instrument drive will be held from April 17- 27, in partnership with local arts education program, Lâche Pas Louisiane.
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Instrument Drop off Locations:
Acadiana Center for the Arts
Lafayette Music Company
To honor Roy Carrier’s induction into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and his legacy of schooling and supporting aspiring young musicians at his Offshore Lounge, Hungry for Music will be making a large donation of instruments to Lâche Pas Louisiane.
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We are truly grateful for the support of everyone participating in the Harmony Music Fest benefit concert. |
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Shovel Some Funds to HFM Raffle
Support Hungry for Music by entering a raffle to win this way cool shovel guitar created by guitarist/composer/producer Justin Johnson!
Enter the Raffle
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Repurposed Musical Instruments
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Our Operations Manager’s partner, Mikey, created this saxophone lamp from an old desk and instrument.
It fits right in at the Hungry for Music Distribution Center. Great job, Mikey!
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In case you missed our last newsletter, check out the Hungry for Music 30-Year Retrospective!
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Hungry for Music T-Shirts!
Support Hungry for Music by purchasing a T-shirt from our store.
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Since becoming a non-profit 30 years ago, Hungry for Music has brought the healing quality of music to more than 22,000 children in 50 states and 35 countries through its musical instrument donation program. We appreciate everyone who has helped us along the way and could not fulfill our mission without the generosity of others.
If you are able, please donate funds, buy a t-shirt from our online store, or visit our website to find out about other ways you can support Hungry for Music. |
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Miss a recent newsletter? Click the link to view past issues. |
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