Ottumwa's newest music instructor, Kayla Scholl, has several students waiting to join orchestra. Unfortunately, there are not enough instruments in band or orchestra to allow all students the opportunity to participate if they want.
"There are more and more kids each year who cannot afford to buy or rent their own instrument," said Scholl. Her goal is to put an instrument in the hands of every Ottumwa student who wants to learn how to play.
The fine arts department is starting “An Instrument in Every Hand” project.
Members of the public can drop off unused instruments, even ones in disrepair, to any Ottumwa district school. The fine arts staff will work with West Music to get the instruments in working order for students.
“Some instruments just need simple repairs like putting new strings on a violin, or replacing the pads on a flute in order to get them into playing condition,” Scholl said. Monetary donations are also being accepted. The Ottumwa music department — like the athletic department — relies on the generosity of the community to help fund programs.
“We encourage residents to look in their closets and see if an old instrument is collecting dust," Scholl said. "We encourage people to donate those to the school music department and help a child learn to play an instrument.”
