Support music in Shoreline Schools by donating your 'lovingly used' instruments

Donate musical instruments you no longer use for Shoreline Schools Music4Life program - drop off sites announced - Work Team will be at Shoreline Arts Festival this weekend

Four local businesses have agreed to be drop-off sites for musical instrument donations to the Shoreline Schools Music4Life™ program.  Adults who have “lovingly used” musical instruments that they’re willing to put back into play can drop them off at:

• the KeyBank branch on Aurora
• Ballinger Realty just east of I-5 on 19th Ave NE
• A Better Day Solon in the Lake Forest Park Shopping Center
• any Kennelly Keys Music store (Northgate or Lynnwood - the Shoreline store is gone)

Instruments can also be dropped off at the front desk of the Shoreline School District office on First Avenue NE, and a Shoreline Schools Music4Life team will be on-site at the Shoreline Arts Festival this weekend to accept instruments and other donations.

Shoreline Schools Music4Life is a non-profit organization that acquires musical instruments and supplies for low income students. 

Working cooperatively with Shoreline Schools are the four Rotary clubs located within the school district and Music4Life™.

“Our best resource for musical instruments is from adults who have instruments in their garages or attics and are willing to put them back into play,” says Bill Forney, President of the Rotary Club of Shoreline (lunch).  “We know that the instrumental music programs at Shoreline Schools are just terrific.  But we also know that as many as thirty percent of students within the district come from low income families and may not be able to participate unless they get a little help. 

“Our goal is to provide every student in the district an opportunity to play a musical instrument, if they want to, regardless of their ability to afford it,” Forney says.  “We do this at a time of financial challenge because research shows that students who study instrumental music do better in math, science, history, languages and many other academic disciplines.  We believe that, when funding is low, it is time for the community to step-up.”

Shoreline Schools Music4Life is a community service activity that is Rotary-inspired, but you don’t have to be a member of a Rotary club to support it, says David Endicott of Music4Life.  “We’re very glad to have the support of anyone who understands the immense value of instrumental music in a child’s life.”  He says musical instruments are acquired for Shoreline Schools Music4Life in two ways.

“Many adults no longer play musical instruments that are gathering dust in their attics and garages,” he says.  “We gratefully accept those ‘lovingly used’ instruments, repair them as needed and then donate them absolutely free of charge to Shoreline Schools.”  Used musical instruments can be dropped off at any Kennelly Keys Music store or at one of the conveniently located sites.

“We can also buy new musical instruments that the Shoreline Schools band and orchestra directors tell us they need for eligible young musicians.”  Donations help take care of musical supplies and instrument repairs.  Monetary donations can be made via PayPal accounts or by visiting the Music 4 Life website,

Shoreline Schools Music4Life begins by providing musical instruments to fifth and sixth graders who qualify for the free- and reduced-lunch program.  “In special circumstances, we can provide instruments to older children, as well,” Forney says.  “Our goal is to enable as many young people to take advantage of these instrumental music opportunities as possible.”

Currently, 30 percent of all fifth and sixth grade students in Shoreline Public Schools who participate in instrumental music programs are income-eligible. The Shoreline Schools Music4Life™ initiative intends to begin by assisting at least half that number.

Rotary has a history of supporting music education in area public schools. All four Rotary clubs within the Shoreline Schools District are backing the program, including the Shoreline Breakfast, Lake Forest Park and Rain City Rotary Clubs. Other Music4Life programs support the Seattle and Highline school systems. Music4Life enjoys the support of notable music advocates and other community leaders.