- April 25, 2024
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In one home, a musical instrument might collect dust in an attic. In another, it might come to life in the hands of a child.
At Saturday’s Rock ’n’ Rib Fest, Cheryl Tristam, administrative director of the Flagler Youth Orchestra, hopes community members will donate old instruments to help more children take free music lessons, through the orchestra.
“To receive one instrument is a huge deal to us, because we simply can’t predict what putting a single instrument in the hands of an interested child will mean,” Tristam said.
The idea to have a donation booth stemmed from the concept of having an instrumental petting farm, the brainchild of David Ayres, general manager of Beach 92.7 FM. Ayres and Tristam wanted children in the Kids Zone to be able to see what these instruments are like, and as Tristam put it, “what it feels like to make sound.”
Though this is the first year the orchestra is having a donation booth, Tristam said the organization has already received a stand-up bass, and Lisa Gardner, with the city of Palm Coast, has also received offers.
“When you get right down to it, if you’re not playing it, there’s a good chance there’s a child who’d be willing to,” Tristam said.
She said anyone interested in donating to the orchestra but who doesn’t have an instrument can make a monetary donation.
She added: “I believe, given the economy, it’s even more critical to rally behind programs like ours, whether it be with donations, attendance at our performances or voting in ways that support our educational system and programs that provide these critical experiences. It just takes a little giving from a lot of people.”
Once a child has an instrument in hand, the possibilities are endless. Tristam said, “We may have a little Mozart here in Flagler County.”
Visit FlaglerYouthOrchestra.org.
