PHOTO PROVIDED Adam Dwyer, East Lycoming School District band director, conducts fifth and sixth grade band students. They are asking for donations of used band instruments.

Many of us have fond memories of playing musical instruments in elementary and high school. Adam Dwyer of the East Lycoming School District, is hoping to help make musical memories for more students.

Dwyer, director of the East Lycoming Elementary Band, the Jr. and Sr. High Bands, Spartan Marching Band and the Hughesville Jazz Band, is conducting a drive for instruments to help make it possible for more students to join in the joy of making music. He is asking for donations of used instruments. Although the bands are in particular need of trombones, flutes and clarinets, all instruments are welcome.

Dwyer says he got the idea of asking the public for donations of instruments from a friend at Warrior Run. The Hughesville Band Parents helped design and distribute the posters in the fall.

“The response has been positive, if a bit scattered.” Dwyer says.

“Every couple of weeks or so, someone surprises me with something to bring in. I’ve been really pleased. We’ve collected seven instruments so far,” Dwyer reports.

With 67 students taking band lessons throughout the district, we can easily grasp the need for the donations. Dwyer tells us that the instruments don’t have to be perfect. If repairs are needed, he assesses the cost.

“Even if it’s too costly to repair, I have options to salvage some parts or turn the instrument over to the repair shop for credit toward repairing our other instruments,” he says.

If you’re not making music with your clarinet, trombone, flute, French horn, bagpipes, or whatever you’ve got, why not let someone else have a chance at it? Check your attic. Your basement. Your garage. Your shed. It will be very much appreciated by Adam Dwyer and the young aspiring musicians in the East Lycoming School District.