"Press Release"

Highline Music4Life™ has issued an urgent public appeal for the donation of flutes and clarinets by adults who no longer need them.

“School is just starting and many more young people than expected are telling us they would like to participate in the school district’s instrumental music programs,” says Stefan Nelson, Cultural Arts Specialist for Highline Public Schools. “Our greatest need is for flutes and clarinets, but all musical instruments are welcome.”

Highline Music4Life is the local organization that acquires “lovingly used” musical instruments, gets them repaired if needed, and provides them free of charge to Highline Public Schools for use by students of low income families. The program was created two years ago by the school board and is sponsored in-part by the Rotary clubs of Des Moines, Burien-White Center and SeaTac. “You don’t have to be a Rotarian to support Music4Life,” says David Endicott, the organization’s Chair / CEO. “All that’s necessary is that you understand the unique value that instrumental music plays in the life and education of a child.”

Research now shows that young people who participate in instrumental music programs tend to do better in math, science, history, literature, languages (both English and foreign), even in computer science and other desirable academic disciplines, Endicott says. “And that’s in addition to what it teaches them in terms of discipline and teamwork.”

Besides the Highline program, Music4Life also operates programs supporting Seattle, Shoreline and Edmonds Public Schools. New programs are expected soon for Tacoma and Kent schools. The initiative acquires used instruments from the garages or attics of adults who understand that their highest and best use is to put them back into play. With adequate resources, Music4Life can also buy new musical instruments for school districts. Endicott emphasizes that resources developed in any community are tracked separately and used for the benefit of the students in that community, whether it’s Highline or any of the others, according to donor wishes.

Currently, 75 percent of all fifth and sixth grade students in Highline Public Schools who participate in instrumental music programs are from families that are income-eligible. The Highline Music4Life™ program intends to assist at least half that number.

Highline Music4Life is supported in-part by grants from 4Culture, First Choice Health, Garvey Schubert Barer, the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence, local Rotary clubs and other local community leaders.