Erwin Band program holds an instrument drive

From a press release:

Erwin Band program holds an instrument drive

Due to a rapidly growing band program, director Jason Miller foresees a large instrument shortage in the coming school year at Eblen Intermediate and Erwin Middle schools.

“The band program is seeing record-breaking growth,” Miller said. The middle school band currently has 60 students in the 7th and 8th grades, while Eblen has 112 6th graders participating in the music program. “I already have more than 150 5th graders signed up to play next year. We just don’t have enough instruments to support that many students.”

While most students purchase their own instruments, many of the larger ones such as baritones, French horns and tubas are often provided by the school for students to borrow. However, the Eblen/Erwin bands do not have enough for all the upcoming students.

The band is holding an instrument drive and asking the community to check in their closets, basements and attics for any band instruments gathering dust. All donations are appreciated and accepted no matter what condition they are in. “We can always have instruments repaired and if they are too far gone, we can sell them for scrap and use the money toward another instrument,” Miller said. “Plus, there are many students who want to play the trumpet, flute, clarinet, saxophone and other smaller instruments whose families just can’t afford them. Music education should be accessible to all students.”

If you are interested in donating an instrument, please label the instrument “donation” and drop them off in the front office at either school:

Eblen Intermediate School
59 Lee’s Creek Rd
Asheville, NC 28806
828-255-5757

OR

Erwin Middle School
20 Erwin Hills Rd
Asheville, NC 28806
828-232-4264