Richfield Participates in 'Play it Forward' Instrument Drive

(RHS) and (AHA), along with more than 250 Minnesota schools, have registered to be a part of Classical Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) and the Minnesota Music Educators Association's (MMEA) Play it Forward instrument drive.

The instrument drive allows donors to give new or used instruments to a school of their choice; any of the registered schools. Schools are accepting the following instrument types: Brass, woodwinds, string instruments, concert percussion such as snare drums, and acoustic guitars. Electronic instruments such as keyboards or accordians will be accepted by Vega Productions, a Play it Forward partner.

RHS received six instruments last year—two flutes, two trumpets, one clarinet and one cello—according to Ben Hoehn, RHS band director. In all, the program received more than 600 donations to more than 300 schools, according to a MPR press release.

Hoehn said this program is extremely important because Richfield schools are in tremendous need of more instruments.

"Right now almost half of the students at [Richfield Middle School] are using school instruments," he said. "In order for them to continue in band at the high school, we will need instruments for them when they reach RHS."

The drive began May 2 and will run through May 31. For more information about the donation program, click here. Also, don't forget to check out the photos from the 2011 .