Wisconsin Conservatory of Music seeks instrument donations to aid area students and schools 🎶

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music is conducting an instrument drive aimed at providing underprivileged students and schools with refurbished musical instruments.

Needed instruments include brass, strings, guitars, wind instruments and percussion instruments, with new cases and cleaning supplies also accepted.

The drive, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, invites community members to donate gently used instruments at four collection centers in the Milwaukee area. Instruments can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

WCM says that since 2017, they have collected over 400 instruments, investing an average of $250 in refurbishment for each. John Bragle, Director of Community Partnerships at WCM, stated in a Wednesday, Sept. 27 press release, "Our mission is to remove barriers and provide access to music instruction by repairing donated instruments and providing them to students who lack the means."

Locations accepting donations include the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music at McIntosh Goodrich Mansion in Milwaukee, Audubon Court Shopping Center in Fox Point, Brass Bell Music in Milwaukee and Music & Arts in Muskego.

Donation hours differ slightly between 10 a.m. and 4 or 5 p.m., depending on the location.

The press release about the instrument drive noted that pianos, organs, kazoos, recorders, hand drums, cajons, frame drums, congas and bongos are not currently needed. Donations will continue on a rolling basis at the McIntosh Goodrich Mansion on Milwaukee’s East Side.

Additional information about the drive and WCM can be found by visiting them online.