Fourth Bi-Annual
Instrument Drive
Your gently used instruments will help area kids
#BeInstrumental by donating gently used musical instruments and equipment for Milwaukee’s young musicians! Following the October 7 drive, donations will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis at the McIntosh|Goodrich mansion. Donated instruments will be cleaned, repaired, provided with new cases, and given to at-need students and schools throughout Southeast Wisconsin.
2023 WCM Instrument Drive News Articles
The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music (WCM) is dedicated to nurturing the musical talents of young individuals, and their latest initiative aims to make music education accessible to all. WCM is inviting the community to join their mission by donating gently used musical instruments. These instruments will undergo refurbishment and then be provided to students and schools who may not have the means to rent or purchase them.
MILWAUKEE (September 27, 2023) — The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music (WCM) is on a mission to inspire young musicians by providing them with musical instruments. WCM is inviting the community to contribute to this cause by donating gently used instruments that will be refurbished and given to students and schools who cannot afford to rent or purchase instruments.
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music is conducting an instrument drive aimed at providing underprivileged students and schools with refurbished musical instruments.
Needed instruments include brass, strings, guitars, wind instruments and percussion instruments, with new cases and cleaning supplies also accepted.
The drive, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, invites community members to donate gently used instruments at four collection centers in the Milwaukee area. Instruments can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
WCM says that since 2017, they have collected over 400 instruments, investing an average of $250 in refurbishment for each. John Bragle, Director of Community Partnerships at WCM, stated in a Wednesday, Sept. 27 press release, “Our mission is to remove barriers and provide access to music instruction by repairing donated instruments and providing them to students who lack the means.”
MUSKEGO — Several area sites will collect used instruments on Saturday that will be refurbished and donated to students and school who cannot afford to rent or purchase instruments, including Music & Arts in Muskego.
Instruments can be dropped off at Music and Arts, 12805 W. Janesville Road, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday. The instruments are being collected by the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Instruments should be gently used.
MILWAUKEE (September 27, 2023) — The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music (WCM) is on a mission to inspire young musicians by providing them with musical instruments. WCM is inviting the community to contribute to this cause by donating gently used instruments that will be refurbished and given to students and schools who cannot afford to rent or purchase instruments.
Saturday, October 7
How to Donate
1. Anyone who would like to make a difference in the lives of Milwaukee’s young musicians are encouraged to make a donation to the Instrument Repair Fund. Donated instruments require an average of $200 in repairs before they can be awarded to a student.
2. Visit an Instrument Drive donation center near you on Saturday, October 7 with a donation from the list of needed instruments.
3. Feel great & celebrate! Because of your generosity, a young musician will now be one step closer to realizing their musical dreams.
Instrument Donation Centers
Find a site near you!
McIntosh|Goodrich Mansion
1584 N Prospect Ave,
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Donation Hours: 10am – 5pm
Audubon Court Shopping Center
333 W Brown Deer Rd,
Fox Point, WI 53217
Donation Hours: 10am – 5pm
Brass Bell Music
210 W Silver Spring Dr,
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Donation Hours: 10am – 4pm
Music & Arts
12805 W Janesville Rd,
Muskego, WI 53150
Donation Hours: 10am – 4pm
Instruments Needed
Brass
Euphonium / French Horn / Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba / Various Horns
Guitar
Acoustic Guitar / Classical Guitar / Electric Bass / Electric Guitar / Ukulele
Percussion
Complete Drum Sets
Strings
Cello / Double Bass / Harp / Viola / Violin
Winds
Bassoon / Clarinet / Flute / Oboe / Piccolo / Saxophone – All Types
Accessories
New Instrument Cases / Instrument Cleaning Supplies
Although we love pianos, organs, kazoos, recorders, hand drums, cajons, frame drums, congas, and bongos,
we unfortunately can not accept these instruments at this time.
Don’t have a musical instrument?
Your gift will repair donated instruments.
Each donated instrument needs necessary repairs before it can find new life with a young musician. Repair costs are estimated at $180 per instrument. By making a gift to the WCM Instrument Repair Fund, you have the power to shape a musical journey.
Thank you to our sponsors:
