For aspiring musicians in New York City public schools, a working instrument can be a rare commodity.  Last spring, the classical radio station WQXR set out to address some of those needs by asking New Yorkers for their unwanted instruments.  The response was overwhelming: 2,940 donations — from accordions to xylophones to a cracked mandolin and a lovingly cared-for 1918 cello. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/nyregion/drive-brings-thousands-of-instruments-for-aspiring-musicians-in-public-schools.html?smid=pl-share

A Violin That’s A Survivor

On the first day of WQXR Radio’s musical instrument drive in March to benefit the city’s public school children, a staff member took a microphone to the drop-off site atLincoln Center to interview donors.One of them, Joseph Feingold, 91, had taken a bus from his senior residence to donate his violin.  http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/short-takes/violin-thats-survivor

Floral Park’s Paul Goetze donates childhood trumpet to benefit NYC public schools

For years, Paul Goetze kept his worn childhood trumpet stored away in the attic of his Floral Park home, untouched. The trumpet, which he bought used 47 years ago when he was in the seventh grade, is a testament to Goetze’s childhood.  http://www.newsday.com/long-island/paul-goetze-of-floral-park-donates-childhood-trumpet-to-wqxr-drive-for-nyc-public-schools-1.9656269