Give your musical instrument a second life in the KUSC-sponsored drive. (Photo/iStock)
Have an unused musical instrument? Classical KUSC could use it for kids
The radio station sponsors a drive to put lightly used instruments in the hands of appreciative youngsters. And it’s tax-deductible
Do you have a musical instrument that no longer gets the attention it deserves? If so, “play it forward” with the KUSC Instrument Drive March 8-19.
The listener-supported public radio station is celebrating Music in Our Schools Month by partnering with The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to round up those unused instruments in your closets or garages, putting them in the hands of deserving local kids.
There are drop-off times and locations throughout Southern California, from Los Angeles to San Diego. The locations are listed below.
Donations are tax-deductible and instrument donation tax forms will be at every location.
Almost any gently used instrument from acoustic guitars to xylophones will be accepted. The drive cannot accept large instruments that cannot be carried by hand, such as pianos and organs. The drive also cannot accept recorders.
Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation was inspired by the popular film Mr. Holland’s Opus, with Oscar-nominated Richard Dreyfuss in the title role. It’s the story of the profound effect a dedicated music teacher had on generations of students. The film’s composer, the late Michael Kamen, started the foundation in 1996 as his commitment to the future of music education.
The foundation keeps music alive in schools by donating musical instruments to under-funded music programs nationwide, giving economically disadvantaged youth access to the many benefits of music education, helping them to be successful students and inspiring creativity and expression through music.
Drop-off locations:
Agoura Hills
Nick Rail Music
5023 Kanan Road
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Phone: (818) 991-3750
Hours: Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Sat 10 a.m-5 p.m.
Burbank
Bertrand’s Band & Orchestra
2618 W. Burbank Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
Phone: (818) 848-9665
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Mission Viejo
Bertrand’s Music
23851 Via Fabricante #202
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Phone: (949) 455-4163
Hours: Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pasadena
Bertrand’s Music
145 Vista Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91107
Phone: (626) 793-4730
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Sun 1-5 p.m.
Pasadena
Jones Coffee Roasters
693 S. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105
Phone:(626) 564-9291
Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. | Sat-Sun 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
San Bernardino
Bertrand’s Music
910 E. Highland Ave.
San Bernardino, CA 92404
Phone: (909) 886-5338
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
San Diego
Bertrand’s Music
9906 Carmel Mountain Road
San Diego, CA 92129
Phone: (888) 780-1812
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Sun Noon-4 p.m.
Santa Ana
Orange County School of the Arts
1010 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 560-0900 ext. 6974
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m., 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Santa Barbara
Nick Rail Music
2801 De La Vina St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Phone:(805) 569-5353
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Santa Monica
McCabe’s Guitar Shop
3101 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: (310) 828-4497
Hours: Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Sat 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Studio City
Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation
4370 Tujunga Ave., Suite 330
Studio City, CA 91604
Phone: (818) 762-4328
Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Valencia
Nick Rail Music
Granary Square
25868 McBean Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
Phone: (661) 288-2345
Hours: Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.