News
Sistema New Brunswick is hosting its third annual instrument donation drive from now until Friday, June 14.
”If you have a musical instrument in the back of your closet collecting dust, or maybe one that hasn’t been played in years, needs repair, or is brand new and needs a home, please consider donating it to Sistema New Brunswick,” says New Brunswick Youth Orchestra president Ken MacLeod.
Sistema NB, a program of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra, is a free, not-for-profit, intensive after-school orchestral music program that fosters discipline, co-operation, confidence and hope for hundreds of young children who otherwise would not have the opportunity. Children must make a commitment to attend the after-school classes five days a week as well as to play in the children’s orchestra.
“This is a big year for Sistema NB,” said MacLeod. “Entering our fifth year in September, we will expand current centres in Moncton, Saint John and Richibucto, open a fourth centre in the province, and increase the number of children we serve by 50 per cent, more than 600 in total. All the instruments of a symphonic orchestra are needed and we are hoping the community can help.”
Antonio Delgado, conductor of NBYO and Sistema NB, said, “instruments are at the heart of making music. But they are much more than musical instruments. In the hands of a child they become instruments of change, instruments of joy, instruments of hope.”
In the past two years, 152 musical instruments have been donated, valued at $46,569. With such a big increase in children this year, many more instruments are needed.
Instruments can be dropped off at either CBC or the Sistema NB centres in Moncton and Saint John. Or call 506-866-7920 for pick up or for more information.
The instruments needed include violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, piccolo, clarinet, E-flat clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, English horn, bassoon, contrabassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, snare drum, timpani. String instruments are accepted in all sizes. All instruments must be in playable condition. All donated instruments will be appraised and a tax receipt for the value will be mailed to each contributor.
You can drop off your instrument donation locally between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at CBC Radio, 250 University Ave., or at Moncton Sistema Centre, Queen Elizabeth School, 31 Lynch St.
In Saint John, go to CBC Radio, 560 Main St., or Saint John Sistema Centre, Millidgeville North School (School Reception), 500 Woodward Ave.
Please send all inquiries to info@nbyo-ojnb.com or call 506-866-7920.
