DeKALB – The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Instrument Donation Project (KID Project) has influenced music education in DeKalb county through concerts, community outreach events and educational programs.
In the first year of the program, 28 instruments were refurbished and donated to school musical programs all around DeKalb County. Over the summer, more than 30 instruments were repaired and distributed, allowing students access to free instruments.
KSO Music Education Outreach Chair Deb Loitz shared that the goal of the KID Project is to provide students with the opportunity to make music without any financial strain.
“This program is about opportunity,” Loitz said in a press release. “There are students throughout our county who have the passion and drive to learn music, but whose families can’t always afford instrument rental fees. The KID Project helps to bridge that gap, which opens doors and creates opportunities for all students to experience the joy of making music.”
Instruments donated to school music departments come at no charge to students and their families. This gives students the opportunity to experience music education and performance opportunities.
Since the program’s launch in 2024, the DeKalb community has donated 84 instruments to students, including violins, violas, cellos, clarinets, flutes, an oboe, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpets, cornets, french horns, a trombone and more.
The KID project has been supported by the Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary, Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation and the DeKalb Drama and Arts Club. This allows KSO to partner with local musicians, luthiers and repair technicians.
The KID project accepts donations of gently used band and orchestra instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass and auxiliary percussion. Pianos, organs, keyboards, drums, guitars and toy instruments are not accepted.
Community members interested in donating old instruments are encouraged to bring them to any KSO concert or NIU’s Boutell Memorial Concert Hall. Contact Deb Loitz at [email protected] to arrange a drop-off.
Volunteers will be available at the ticket table to accept donations. The first concert of the season is 7:30 Oct. 11.
Monetary donations are also welcomed and help cover the cost of professional repairs. Contributions can be made online. For more information about the KID Project, visit kishorchestra.org/kid-project.
