Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Hosting Instrument Drive to Empower Young Musicians

MILWAUKEE (September 27, 2023) — The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music (WCM) is on a mission to inspire young musicians by providing them with musical instruments. WCM is inviting the community to contribute to this cause by donating gently used instruments that will be refurbished and given to students and schools who cannot afford to rent or purchase instruments. To simplify the process, WCM is organizing a regional instrument drive on Saturday, October 7 at four collection centers across Southeastern Wisconsin. Instruments can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (locations listed below). For more information about the Instrument Drive and how you can make a difference, visit here.

Since 2017, WCM has collected over 400 gently used instruments through its biennial Instrument Drive, investing an average of $250 per instrument in refurbishment. Those who wish to support this initiative but don’t have an instrument to donate can contribute to the Instrument Repair Fund online, over the phone, or by mail. This fund plays a critical role in ensuring that all donated instruments are in top condition before they find a new home. WCM has committed nearly $70,000 from its own operating budget for instrument repairs, covering saxophones, clarinets, flutes, tubas, trumpets, violins, and more.

“Our mission is to remove barriers and provide access to music instruction,” said John Bragle, Director of Community Partnerships at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. “One of the ways we do that is by reaching out to the community, repairing donated instruments, and providing them to students who want to learn to play but lack the means.”

Instruments needed for donation include brass instruments (trombone, trumpet, French horn, tuba, euphonium, various horns), strings instruments (cello, double bass, harp, viola, violin), guitars (electric, acoustic, classical, bass, ukulele), wind instruments (clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon, piccolo, saxophone – all types), percussion instruments (complete drum sets), and accessories (new instrument cases and instrument cleaning supplies). Donated instruments are preferred to be accompanied by a case.

Please note that there is currently no need for pianos, organs, kazoos, recorders, hand drums, cajons, frame drums, congas, and bongos.

Following the October 7 drive, donations will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis at the McIntosh|Goodrich mansion on Milwaukee’s East Side.

Donations will be accepted at the following locations:
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
McIntosh|Goodrich Mansion
1584 N Prospect Ave,
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Donation Hours:  10am – 5pm

Audubon Court Shopping Center
333 W Brown Deer Rd,
Fox Point, WI 53217
Donation Hours:  10am – 5pm

Brass Bell Music
210 W Silver Spring Dr,
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Donation Hours:  10am – 4pm

Music & Arts
12805 W Janesville Rd,
Muskego, WI 53150
Donation Hours:  10am – 4pm

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.