Music is basic to the human experience, and learning to play a musical instrument provides an outlet for self-expression and personal enrichment. In addition, educational research now indicates that studying a musical instrument can benefit a child's academic achievement. Participation in band and orchestra programs can lead to a lifetime of personal satisfaction and musical enjoyment.

Harford County Public Schools offer instruction in instrumental music to all interested students in grades 4 through 12. Lessons are given for all string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments, and there are numerous opportunities for performance in various school ensembles.

View the Band Together Slideshow

Unfortunately, there are many interested students whose parents cannot afford to buy or rent an instrument, and there simply aren't enough school-owned instruments available for loan. That is where Band Together comes in.

Band Together is an organization of music educators dedicated to collecting used string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments, and reconditioning and distributing them to interested Harford County Public School students in need.

If you have a violin, viola, cello, string bass, (any size), flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, cornet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, or snare drum, that you would like to donate to this cause, please contact Robert Powers at 410-638-3920 or Robert.Powers@hcps.org. The condition or age of the instrument does not matter.

When you donate an instrument, you will receive a receipt for tax deduction purposes as well as the satisfaction of having made a difference in the life of a child.