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Project Contact:
Shelby W. McFann     swmcfann@aol.com

Volunteer Organization Name:
Fort Wayne Philharmonic Friends

Orchestra Name:
Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra

City:
Fort Wayne

State/Province:
Indiana

Meeting group size of the orchestra:

Number of active members in the volunteer organization?
101-200

Name of the project:
The Instrument Loan Program

Project Description:
The goal of this program is to insure that any child who wants to learn an instrument will have one available to use for lessons either privately or at school, if a school music program exists.

The Friends wondered how many unused instruments occupied attics, closets and basements. Would these previously studied instruments be donated for young students to use and learn? The answer turned out to be “YES!” It was noted that instrument store rental fees were often too expensive for some children. Also, many schools had no instruments at all for music programs or the supplies disappeared before all children received an instrument. School fees were also higher than many could afford.

We consider the program successful if even one child can study who might otherwise not have been able to. Last season the Friends program placed over 30 instruments.

The program, which has been ongoing for several years, has recently been rejuvenated through the use of new inventory procedures and a detailed database about each instrument, its donor, its value, its condition and its maintenance and repair record. In addition, we have been able to upgrade our storage facilities for all the instruments – we have over 100 strings, brass and woodwinds.

There are obstacles to overcome. The first is obtaining appraisals to keep the instruments appropriately insured. Also, maintenance is a vital part of the program. Finally, a volunteer must be available often, and sometimes unexpectedly, to deal with “accidents” which young students will have with instruments. We use a contractor, who also maintains the Fort Wayne Community Schools instruments, to handle such repairs. Turn around time for a repair is usually within one or two days. He is paid according to his list of various services and their costs. This liaison with the schools has proven invaluable.

As mentioned earlier, this program has been ongoing, but it had also been faltering due to its size. Care must be exercised to prevent the program from becoming so large that it is no longer manageable. Controlled growth is desirable and can be accomplished as volunteers are trained to participate.

The Instrument Loan Program in Fort Wayne is not a one-time project. It has become a vital link in this community for children (especially those with limited resources) to attain an instrument for study. There is a very high level of parental enthusiasm, and the teachers in our schools are also very supportive of the program

Role and number of volunteers involved:
The initial brainstorming for the program involved 5 - 8 volunteers. Instrument placement can be done by 1 or 2 volunteers. Record keeping requires just 1 Friends member. No staff is involved in the program.

Planning Start Date:
N/A

Project Dates:
N/A

Gross revenue from all sources:
$2,520.00

Total expenses for this project:
$2,355.00

Net Revenue (Expense):
$165.00

The total value of all in-kind contributions of donated products and services.
All of the program instruments have been donated over a period of several years. This season a badly needed 1/4 size cello was added to the inventory using proceeds from the Spring Flower Sale.