If you have any string instruments gathering dust in your cupboards, you could help a promising young musician.
The Michael Hill International Violin Competition Charitable Trust has just launched an instrument bank.
Anne Rodda, executive director of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, joined Afternoons to explain how it works.
Photo: 123RF
Rodda tells Jesse Mulligan the idea was spawned last year by a member of the board of trustees who realised there would be no international competition this year.
“The decided to look inwards in terms of what the country needs and what are the needs to the people which we now have a responsibility and that included New Zealanders who were learning instruments.
“Aware that the cost of leasing or buying instruments is sometimes out of reach of families, we decided to serve as a facilitator and background structure to help get existing instruments into the hands of learners of all levels.”
They’re just beginning to initiate the programme now and Rodda says she hopes RNZ's audience will look to their unused instruments.
She explains there are two streams of the instrument bank. One is for donation of instruments which can be of any quality or condition and they will be repaired and used. The other is for higher-value instruments and is a loan scheme.
“For that, we would make sure the instruments are in good working order and carry the insurance premiums as part of our policy so that the cost to the family or young artist wouldn’t be prohibitive.”
Rodda says there’s a lot of value in the discipline required to learn an instrument and take care of a fragile and precious thing.
“It beats the hell out of sitting on a screen or not knowing what to do. Go along to an orchestra practice, learn an instrument, build life-long friends, build self-esteem and contribute back to your community.”
