Instrument Donation Program

Share Your Love of Music!

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The Albany Fund for Education collects musical instruments to put in the hands of Albany’s students. All donated instruments are refurbished and restored to playing condition before given to a child. We also appreciate funds to cover the cost of instrument repair. 

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Recycle a Musical Instrument You No Longer Need!

New and used instruments, except pianos, organs and guitars, will be gratefully accepted. We especially need student-sized band and orchestra instruments. In additions we can always use drumsticks, rosin, chin sponges, shoulder rests, bows, electronic keyboards/stands, music stands/cart for stands, recorders, ukuleles, cello/bass stands, and portable sheet music stands. 

Since December 2014 more than 250 instruments have been put into the hands of aspiring students.  With Albany’s strong music program these instruments provide a wonderful benefit!  Already we’ve given a second life to basses, cellos, clarinets, cornets, drum sets, flutes, French horns, guitars, keyboards, recorders, saxophones trombones, trumpets, violas, and violins! John Keal Music has refurbished over 90 instruments. (Thank you John Keal Music!)

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You can drop off your instrument during the school year in the main office of Tony Clement Center for Education c/o John Lenio. Please use the entrance for staff, faculty and visitors at 395 Elk Street, Albany to reach the main office.  You can also call 518-207-5572 or email  and we will pick up your instrument. Please provide your name and address so we can send a letter thanking you and acknowledging your donation for tax purposes.

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Special thanks to our partners and supporter for this project:  Aimee Allaud, the Stewart’s Shops, John Keal Music, Albany Friends of Music, Vanguard-Albany Symphony and Albany Musicians’ Association.

The photo to the left shows John Lenio accepting new donations.

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Questions?

Onnolee Smith  -   518 207-5572  

or 

Anne Erling  - 518 458-9760 

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On behalf of the young musicians in Albany's schools, we say thank you to all individuals who have provided over 200 instruments to Albany's students in just the past 4years. Keep them coming!

Instruments going into the hands of students in 2019-20:

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Sarah Atkinson: Flute

Anonymous: Drum set

Betsy Newmum: 3/4 Violin, Guitar, Keyboard

Danielle Casile: Flute

Victoria Weston: Flute

Sara Jane Fletcher: 3 small Violins

Lee and Kim Banks: Drum set

Marjorie Maniccia: Flute

Estate of Edward Englander: 2 Trumpets 

Marion Kinch: Violin

Jill Rifkin, Vanguard: 2 guitars, trombone, violin, sax, trumpet, 2 clarinets, violin, 2 trombones, flutes, violin, cello, guitar

Clarissa West: Violin

Barbara Davis: Trumpet

Julie Mansfield: Flutes

Michael Lacey: Trombone

James Gray: Trombone

Ryan Lambert: Trumpet and xylophone

Violetta De Rosa: Violin

Sara Kelly: Clarinet

Madeline Cafiero: 2 trumpets

Dan Miller: Ukulele

Peter Olsen: Violin, alto saxophone

Jeffrey Gordon: Keyboard

David Hopeck: Saxophone

Linda Whemple: Percussion kit

Shaun Deyo: Viola and violin

Chris Sullivan: Drum set

Charles and Nancy Scholes: Clarinet, trumpet, French horn

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Holt: French Horn

Peter Gilbert: Clarinet, oboe, violin

Arthur Siegel: Electric guitar, electric bass

Craig Dickensen: Clarinet

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Below from left to right:

Yet another violin repaired by John Keal Music. We so appreciate our partnership with John Keal's Music.

Guitars waiting for delivery to Albany High School - many donated through AFE.

ACSD staff accepting a drum set donated by an alum of  Albany High's marching band 

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