Adopt an Instrument

The Program

MUST has been able to deliver quality musical instruments directly into the hands of student musicians at more than one hundred elementary and secondary schools. In several cases, donated instruments have made the difference between the beginning or continuation of a school's instrumental program and its demise.

A three-year drive at Stanford Shopping Center raised over $400,000 worth of instruments, which were mainly donated to the Ravenswood School District in East Palo Alto. Largely as a result of this donation and the community organizing done by MUST, Ravenswood now has a flourishing after-school music program, a full-time Arts Coordinator, and is working with Cultural Initiatives to develop an integrated arts strand for the Open Court reading curriculum in use by the district.

The year-round Adopt program was a fixture at San Francisco's Stern Grove Festival and is a part of numerous community events, in addition to permanent drop-off points at our office.

Music Educators

Receiving donated instruments or starting a music program at your school is simple. First, fill out the online form here. Next, download the spreadsheet here, fill it out, and email it to Sophie Huet, our Adopt an Instrument coordinator, at sophie@mustcreate.org.

Instrument Donors

If you have an instrument that you would like to donate, it's easy! Just call us at (415) 392-9010 or fill out the online form here and we will contact you.

At this time, we are unable to accept piano donations.

Drop Off Location

Music in Schools Today accepts donations at the following location:

San Francisco

Music in Schools Today Office

582 Market Street, Suite 213

Please call us at (415) 392-9010 to schedule a time before coming by, to be sure we're in. Once you're here, we can meet you at one of the loading zones marked on the above map:

1. From Market St. eastbound ~ park in front of McDonald's between New Montgomery St. and Second St.
2. From 2nd St. northbound ~ park behind the motorcycle parking between Mission St. and Market St., just past Stevenson Alley
3. From Market St. westbound ~ park in front of the 7-11 between Sansome St. and Montgomery St.

Peninsula

Music at Kohl Mansion

Patricia Kristof Moy, Executive Director
(650) 762-1130
2750 Adeline Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010

Testimonials

Dear Bruce {donor} and Mary,

Thank you both for making it possible for us to have a piano in our classroom. Everyone is very pleased. The kids have immediately begun asking for the piano during free time. One of my students, who doesn’t often show emotional expression, absolutely loves playing on the piano. We set the sound to pipe organ, and she gets tickled every time she "makes" music. (It’s a great cause/effect toy.) It's great to see her smile and laugh.

Thanks again,
Stephen

Stephen Uyeno
Special Education Teacher
San Lorenzo Unified School District

Thank you for your generous contribution of a five-piece drum set, hand drums, and guitar and amp set (valued at $700) to Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. As you know, donations of this kind go directly to support the award-winning programming at our nine Clubhouses in San Francisco's most disadvantaged and turbulent neighborhoods.

Every day, the young people who use our Clubs have access to our award-winning programs, and benefit from the guidance of our caring staff. Every day, they are learning and growing in a safe environment. Every day, they are closer to realizing their full potential -- thanks to the generosity of donors like you.

With your help, and that of others like you, we can continue to reach thousands of children, providing them with enriching experiences and the promise of a better future. Thank you again for your generosity and for your commitment to our organization.

Sincerely,
Rob Connolly
President, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco

Words cannot express the gratitude the Terra Nova Music Department has for your generous donation of the following instruments: 1 Cornet, 1 French Horn, 1 Alto Sax, 1 Trombone. During times of shrinking budgets and programs that are cut back, your kindness and generosity has helped to enhance the lives of many students involved in our band programs at Terra Nova High School, including concert, marching, and jazz bands.

We hope this will be the beginning of a partnership that will include more awareness about your program and the continued donation of instruments to our program. The music department is very excited about this, as we are expanding their band program to include parades and field shows for sporting events and band competitions.

Once again, thank you very much for your donation.

Sincerely,
Justin Cottrell
Director of Bands
Terra Nova High School

When we began this school year, the challenge we faced at Edna Brewer Middle School was to renew its legacy of a rich music program. I found the task daunting, given the limited resources and instruments that we had on hand. Many students began the year with little prospect of having instruments to use in their orchestra or band. It is with tremendous gratitude that I thank MuST for donating 2 clarinets, 1 alto saxophone, 1 viola, 2 violins, 2 piano keyboards, and 1 flute. There are several students who have been able to stay involved in the music program and have also been thriving in their other studies this year, with thanks to your program.

Thank you immensely,
Zack Pitt-Smith, Director of Bands
Edna Brewer Middle School
Oakland