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I don't know how many of you know this, but there is an instrument donation program called "Instruments in the Cloud". For school band/orchestra directors, it provides a way to catalog your instrument inventory, share excess instruments with in-need schools, and if you are in-need, request instruments. For those that have unused instruments, it provides a way to donate instruments to students who cannot afford them. The website is http://www.instrumentsinthecloud.org" target="_blank" target="_blank

Question: How does it work for a school to give away any instrument on it's inventory? I know they usually prefer to keep beat-up instruments forever rather than give them away. If they do get rid of them, they seem to prefer a dumpster. I remember being ordered to dispose of old percussion equipment via dumpster; of course, I let kids know when and where! Sad.

Interesting. The largest consolidated school system in my area is very restricted about trading, selling, or giving away surplus instruments. The process of declaring something surplus so it can be sold or traded apparently has to go through a system of auditors and just doesn't happen often because of the red tap involved. However... stuff does end up in the dumpster.

scottw wrote:Question: How does it work for a school to give away any instrument on it's inventory? I know they usually prefer to keep beat-up instruments forever rather than give them away. If they do get rid of them, they seem to prefer a dumpster. I remember being ordered to dispose of old percussion equipment via dumpster; of course, I let kids know when and where! Sad.

I'm not sure how it works for schools to share or dispose of instruments. There are several FAQs and some explanation on the website. I was thinking about some of us may have an extra old horn they would like to donate. It is sad for me to hear that the dumpster is a viable alternative for a usable horn. A lot of students want to be in band/orchestra but cannot afford the cost of an instrument, especially a tuba or other more expensive instruments. Bloke has told a story about how he chose tuba because it did not involve purchasing an instrument. In the groups I'm involved with, a French Horn player seems very difficult to fine. This may be a way of keeping a steady stream of new players with which to make and enjoy music.