Sarah McLachlan's School of Music wants your gently-used instruments
Vancouver musician Sarah McLachlan is asking people to donate their gently-used instruments for a good cause — so that kids at her music school can practice at home.
"We know there's all sort of new or gently used instruments that are sitting in people's basements or attics that have at one point been loved," she said.
McLachlan, who started playing her first instrument, a ukulele, at four years old, says she also benefited from a generous donation when she was young.
"I ended up with a donation of a piano from a friend who was moving away when I was 11."
That gave her the chance to take piano lessons and the rest is history.
McLachlan, who started her music school 14 years ago, says the benefits of learning music can go far beyond knowing how to play an instrument.
"Music is what we teach, but the end result is so much more powerful than that. We're creating a place where people can leave all their labels at the door and be exactly who they are and be proud of that and be seen and heard and respected for it."
She says there's something special about older instruments.
"I think typically wood resonating instruments, they carry the history of the people who have played them and the love that has been infused in them. I think there's a warmth to it."
How to donate an instrument
People can drop off new or gently-used instruments at the CBC Broadcast Centre on 700 Hamilton Street from Nov. 16 to Dec. 12, 2015.
The month-long drive is done in partnership with CBC Music, Sun Life Financial's Making the Arts More Accessible program and the Sarah McLachlan School of Music.
Cash donations made during this campaign will be matched by Sun Life Financial and all the proceeds go to supporting music education at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music.
Those who donate are entered for a chance to win a personal experience with Sarah McLachlan.
When asked about the potential challenges of accepting instrument donations, McLachlan said, "No pianos, please!"
For more information, go to cbcmusic.ca/schoolofmusic.
To listen to the full audio, click the link labelled: Sarah McLachlan wants your gently-used instruments.
