String Instruments

The image is jarring: a vibrant green lawn scattered with brass instruments in various forms of disrepair, some rusted, others broken or bent. A few rest in old cases with broken hinges. This video was shared by Kyewalyanga Fredrick (Freddie), founder of Saved by Music Foundation, a nonprofit in Uganda that serves 111 children between the ages of 8 and 16. Alongside shelter, food, healthcare, and school fees, the program teaches music through the Elgon Youth Brass Band that rehearses every day. Unfortunately, like a majority of programs in the region, Saved by Music Foundation does not have enough playable instruments for all of its students.

When the team at Community MusicWorks built the program’s new home, they brought their longtime luthier into their building.

Congratulations to two students from Sistema Cyprus.

What does it take to turn a young musician’s passion into a meaningful career? For Sistema Cyprus and Orquestra Geração, the answer lies in real, structured opportunity, tailored to young people who are too often overlooked by traditional systems.

Our two organizations have long collaborated on other successful European projects. Building on that experience, and seeing the similar challenges our students face, we teamed up once more to create the Erasmus+ project “InMus: From Youth to Professionalism.”

In the heart of Chilean Patagonia, the strings of a violin resonate deep within the temperate forest. Birds sing in harmony with the refined sounds of bows gliding over the strings; leaves whisper centuries-old stories. The Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, where endangered species are protected, also embraces a group of young musicians—along with their mentors, who are string principals in the Brussels Philharmonic—during daily rehearsals and performances. It’s an inspiring fusion of human artistry and Patagonian majesty.

Classics for Kids Foundation offers matching grants to help build sustainable music programs within US-based K–12 schools and nonprofit organizations.