MAKING MUSIC: INSTRUMENT DRIVE BENEFITS SAN DIEGO STUDENTS

Jazz 88.3 FM, Coles Fine Flooring Team Up to Collect Donated Instruments

SAN DIEGO (May 14, 2010) – Music Matters has been a five-year duet to benefit students of San Diego and inspire future generations of musicians. Throughout May, Jazz 88.3 FM and Coles Fine Flooring are collaborating on their fifth annual Music Matters drive to collect musical instruments. Flutes, violins and other instruments are refurbished and repaired by the Community Council for Music in the Schools (CCMS), a nonprofit organization.  CCMS places the instruments with music teachers in San Diego Unified School District (including elementary, middle and high schools) for loan to students in school music classes, bands and orchestras. All donations are tax deductible.

Studies have shown that children who learn to play musical instruments do better in many other subjects, and have both higher test scores and school attendance. According to CCMS Co-Chair Ann Marie Haney, “Students with musical training become better citizens because in a collaborative environment they have learned to care about one another and take responsibility for themselves and the greater community.”

However, many young people cannot afford to rent or purchase musical instruments. That's where San Diegans and the Music Matters program come in.

We want to help kids discover and enjoy the wonderful world of music,” said Jazz 88.3 station manager Mark DeBoskey. “Last year we collected over 150 musical instruments and we hope to surpass that number this year.”

San Diegans are encouraged to dig into their closets, attics, garage, or under the bed, to find their old musical instruments – violin, flute (in high demand), cello, clarinet, guitar, trumpet, sax or even a drum kit – that may be just collecting dust awaiting its next musical maestro. Donating is as easy as bringing a musical instrument to one of Cole’s seven stores and showrooms conveniently located throughout the County in San Diego (Morena Blvd.), El Cajon, San Marcos, Solana Beach (Design District), MCRD, MCAS Miramar or the Navy Exchange at 32nd Street. For a list of stores and addresses, visit http://www.colesfineflooring.com.

People can also drop off musical instruments at the Museum of Making Music (http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org) in Carlsbad, located at 5790 Armada Drive.

During a special gala next month at Coles’ showroom on Morena Blvd., Jazz 88.3 will display all of the donated instruments, including lining up the gleaming brass instruments.

For more information on Music Matters, visit http://www.jazz88.org or call 619-388-3037.

The Community Council for Music in the Schools, founded in 1990, started collecting musical instruments in 1991. To date, more than 1,000 instruments have been refurbished, repaired and loaned out to music programs in elementary, middle and high schools throughout the San Diego Unified School District.

Member-supported KSDS Jazz 88.3 FM KSDS, popularly known as Jazz 88.3, is San Diego's original jazz radio station, licensed to the San Diego Community College District, broadcasting 24 hours a day from the campus of San Diego City. The mission of Jazz 88.3 is to present, preserve and promote the uniquely American art form that is Jazz. Through programming, events and education, KSDS advances the appreciation and understanding of Jazz with a local, national and international audience.