840 instruments donated to strengthen music education in Colorado
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – April 15, 2013 – Colorado Public Radio (CPR) collected 840 donated instruments during this year’s Instrument Drive, including flutes, clarinets, trumpets and even a late 19th century English violin. The majority of these instruments will be repaired and awarded to qualifying school music programs in the fall. Schools can apply to receive refurbished instruments now through May 31 by submitting an application via www.cpr.org.
“In just over two weeks, we were able to collect hundreds of instruments, which will go a long way towards providing additional opportunities for students to participate in school music programs,” said Steve Blatt, CPR’s director of community programs. “We’re incredibly thankful that so many people felt inspired to donate. It’s really a community effort and we have our listeners and community partners to thank for helping make the drive a success.”
The instruments were collected during the first two weeks of March at 13 different drop-off locations in Denver, Boulder, Grand Junction and Pueblo. They are now being repaired by the Colorado Institute of Musical Instrument Technology, and CPR is also working with Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to identify and match donated instruments with schools. Once instruments are awarded in the fall, they’ll benefit hundreds of students year after year.
As a result of the previous three instrument drives, CPR has distributed more than 1,400 instruments to over 90 Colorado schools. Watch the following video to see how just one instrument can change a child’s life - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meSYe8yqE-M.
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Colorado Public Radio is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides 24-hour, in-depth news and music to about 429,000 listeners each week (Source: Arbitron, Fall 2011/Spring 2012). More than 90 percent of CPR's funds come from the private support of listeners, businesses and foundations.
News: Denver 90.1 FM, Boulder 1490 AM, Pueblo 1230 AM, Vail 89.9 FM, Grand Junction 89.5 FM, Montrose / Craig / Parachute 88.3 FM, Gunnison 88.5 FM, Ouray 91.5 FM, Meeker / Rangely 91.1 FM, and online at www.cpr.org.
Classical: Denver 88.1 FM, Boulder 99.9 FM, Pueblo 91.9 FM, Colorado Springs 94.7 FM, Glenwood Springs 90.5 FM, Aspen 101.5 FM, Western Slope 103.3 FM, Dove Creek 88.7 FM, Gunnison 89.1 FM, Cortez 102.5 FM, Crystal River Valley / Old Snowmass 93.9 FM, Thomasville 93.7 FM, and online at www.cpr.org.
OpenAir: Denver 1340 AM. Online at www.openaircpr.org.
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