LEXINGTON, Ohio — Grade school students who are interested in learning music but can’t afford an instrument can find assistance from the nonprofit organization SterrySong.
Established by Lexington resident Roger Sterry with the help of his daughters Hannah and Gabriella, SterrySong’s goal is to ensure that everyone who has a love for music has the ability to express it.
Sterry, a music lover and guitar collector, has been giving away guitars to people for years, he said.
Now, through SterrySong, he helps provide band instruments to students in need.
“I got to thinking that as we see budget cuts happening all the time in the schools, the arts are the first to get hit,” he said. He added that in many cases, student musicians perform better in school and are more well-rounded.
The SterrySong.org website launched the second week in August, seeing an “overwhelming” response, he said.
Instruments have been distributed to several local students and even to some who live as far away as Maine.
With SterrySong’s “play it forward” motto, the organization doesn’t require payment but asks that the recipients one day bless another person any way they can.
People can apply for an instrument online by clicking here.
Donations are welcome, though not mandatory. “If you can pay even a small amount, we would appreciate it because we’re self-funded,” Sterry said.
The inventory includes primarily new instruments bought by Sterry, as well as some donated instruments.
“The ones that I buy are new, but they’re very entry level,” Sterry said. “These are good for first-time band members.”
“We have gotten some great donations,” he added, which could include instruments not a part of the standard inventory like French horns or cellos.
Not every type of band instrument is available all the time.
The organization will attempt to meet each request, but there may be times when fulfilling them is delayed or not possible.
The instruments are intended for those who cannot afford them.
People may donate instruments that are new or in need of slight repair by visiting SterrySong.org.
Monetary donations can also be made via the website.
Sterry noted that all donations are used 100 percent toward providing more instruments and their distribution.
“This brings a lot of joy and a lot of smiles to peoples’ faces, so we love it,” he said.
