It has been a five-year duet to benefit students of San Diego and inspire future generations of musicians. Throughout the month of May, Jazz 88.3 FM and Coles Fine Flooring are collaborating on their 5th annual “Music Matters” drive to collect musical instruments for the Community Council for Music in the Schools (CCMS), a nonprofit organization.
CCMS refurbishes and repairs donated musical instruments, placing them with music teachers in the San Diego Unified School District – including elementary, middle and high schools – who, in turn, loan them to students in school music classes, bands and orchestras. All donations are tax deductible.
Studies have shown that children who learn to play musical instruments do better in many other subjects, and have both higher test scores and school attendance. According to CCMS Co-Chair Ann Marie Haney, “Students with musical training become better citizens because in a collaborative environment they have learned to care about one another and take responsibility for themselves and the greater community.”
However, many young people can not afford to rent or purchase musical instruments. That’s where San Diegans and the Music Matters program come in.
We want to help kids discover and enjoy the wonderful world of music,” said Jazz 88.3 station manager Mark De-Boskey. “Last year we collected over 150 musical instruments and we hope to surpass that number this year.”
San Diegans are encouraged to dig into their closets, attics, garage, or under the bed, to find their old musical instruments – violin, flute (in high demand), cello, clarinet, guitar, trumpet, sax or even a drum kit – that may be just collecting dust awaiting its next musical maestro. Donating is as easy as bringing a musical instrument to one of Cole’s seven stores and showrooms conveniently located throughout the County in San Diego (Morena Blvd.), El Cajon, San Marcos, Solana Beach (Design District), MCRD, MCAS Miramar or the Navy Exchange at 32nd Street. For a list of stores and addresses, visit http://www.colesfineflooring.com.
People can also drop off musical instruments at the Museum of Making Music ( http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org ) in Carlsbad, located at 5790 Armada Drive.
During a special gala next month at Coles’ showroom on Morena Blvd., Jazz 88.3 will display all of the donated instruments, including lining up the gleaming brass instruments.
For more information on Music Matters, visit http://www.jazz88.org or call 619-388-3037.