May 2026

Quarter Notes

Our annual Spring Instrument Drive was a resounding success! We collected just over 1,000 instruments at our 18 drop-off locations.

While organizing the instruments, some of the "stories" we discovered include:

a tenor sax played on Ike & Tina Turner recordings
a collection of 70+ cornets donated by the widow of a professional musician
a 19th-century violin played by several generations of a family
an alto sax played on the first radio broadcast
a trumpet played by four generations of a family
a tenor sax played in Artie Shaw's big band

Now, the magic begins as our incredible repair partners at Rocky Mountain Music Repair, Luther Strings, Loco Guitar Works, and Denver Percussion roll up their sleeves and dive into the task of evaluating and restoring these instruments back to life!

Come August, these beautifully restored instruments will find their new homes in Title I and under-resourced school music programs, ready to inspire a new generation of students as they explore the world through music.

Thank you for supporting young Colorado musicians and helping an old instrument tell a new story.

2026 Instrument Drive by the Numbers

As you read above, we collected just over 1,000 instruments with the generous support of the community. This is an increase of 13% from last year, but did you know we also experienced growth in other areas?

We received 98 teacher applications from music programs across Colorado (an 88% increase), totaling just under 1,700 instruments requested (a 160% surge) to meet current needs. These increases demonstrate the incredible need we've seen in our state and beyond as budget cuts continue to impact access to music education. While BMTL will always explore various paths of expanding our support, we need your help. Keep reading to learn more about how you can become part of the solution.

Instrument Repair Fund

Did you know that the average repair cost for an instrument is just over $200? Having a professionally refurbished, playable instrument is one of the biggest barriers a child faces in participating in school music. You can help bridge the gap by donating to the instrument repair fund. Your gift will help us meet the needs of music programs across the state!

Click here to help an old instrument tell a new story

Still have an instrument you'd like to donate?

Even though our 2026 spring instrument drive has ended, 14 of our 18 drop-off partners accept instruments year-round! We gladly accept gently used instruments commonly used in band, orchestra, mariachi, jazz, guitar, and modern band school music programs. Click the link below to find the location nearest you.

As a reminder, we cannot accept accordions, recorders, autoharps, hammered dulcimers, banjos, or other instruments not typically used in school music programs, or instruments that are missing parts or are beyond repair. Additionally, due to their size and the cost of transporting and storing them, we do not accept pianos, organs, or keyboards with an integrated stand.

Find the drop-off location nearest to you

BMTL around town

BMTL partnered with nonprofit Free Guitars 4 Kids to donate a guitar to a student at BMTL-recipient school, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy. The student, James, and his teacher, Rachel Davis, attended a concert where Grammy-nominated musician Cory Wong presented the instrument. BMTL looks forward to further collaboration with FG4K to reach more kids with music!

Volunteer for Distribution Day

Looking for ways to support BMTL? Join us on August 6 for setup and August 8 for our annual Instrument Distribution Day! We need folks on both days to help load, sort, and hand out instruments. Email us at info@BringingMusicToLife.org for more information.

Other Ways to Support our Mission

Bringing Music to Life offers several opportunities to donate – all designed to give students the gift of music by placing instruments in excellent working condition into the hands of students who otherwise would not be able to afford them. Click the images below for more information!

Bringing Music to Life | 2390 South Filmore St. | Denver, CO 80218 US

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