The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Instrument Donation (KID) Project provides students in need with the invaluable opportunity to learn music on a borrowed instrument, ensuring that financial barriers do not stand in the way of their musical education.

Thanks to donations from community members this past spring and summer, the KID Project has received nearly 60 musical instruments. Many of them have been repaired and cleaned throughout the summer and made ready to donate to area music programs.

To date, 28 refurbished instruments have been donated to DeKalb County schools. Clarinets, flutes, alto and tenor saxophones, trumpets, cornets, a French horn, euphonium, tuba and bell kit have been delivered to Band programs at DeKalb High School and Huntley Middle School in DeKalb, Sycamore Middle School in Sycamore, Genoa-Kingston Middle School and Genoa-Kingston High School in Genoa, Indian Creek Middle School in Waterman, and Indian Creek High School in Shabbona. The Sycamore and DeKalb orchestra programs received 5 violins and 2 cello/bass stands.

This achievement has been possible because of the dedication of volunteers and repair shops, who worked tirelessly to assess and repair the instruments, giving them a new life for the next group of musicians. Special thanks go to Roger Morgan, Jeff Ford Woodwind Repairs, Austin’s Violin Shop, PM Music Center, Denny Vaupel, and KSO members: Ann Montzka Smelser, Dave Lehman, Tim Graff, and Geoffrey Decker, for their expertise and support throughout the process.

“The success of the KID Project highlights the power of community and the importance of music in education,” said Deb Loitz, KSO Music Education Outreach chair. “Together, we are empowering the next generation of musicians and making a meaningful difference in their lives. We are excited to see the continued impact of this project for years to come.”

This program is partially supported by a grant from the RAAC Rockford Area Arts Council which receives support from the City of Rockford Government , the Illinois Arts Council Agency, and its members.

This program is also partially supported by the 100+ Women Who Care in DeKalb/Sycamore Greatest Impact Award.

The KSO continues to accept musical instruments and monetary donations for repairs. Bring your instrument to any KSO concert or contact Deb Loitz at musicoutreach@kishorchestra.org to make arrangements. More information and a list of accepted instruments can be found at kishorchestra.org/kid-project.