Pocatello/Chubbuck School District asks for instrument donations

POCATELLO — Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 is asking parents to donate their children’s old instruments to help its music programs.

Sixth grade students in the district are required to take a music class, including orchestra, band, or choir.

But musical instruments can cost hundreds of dollars.

There is a rental program in place, but in a district that has a 50 percent free and reduced lunch rate the extra financial burden is too much, officials say.

Now the school district is asking families in the region to donate instruments that are sitting around the house collecting dust so they can be repurposed to kids who want to play an instrument for free.

Jan Harwood, the director of secondary education, said “Some families have instruments in their homes that their kids aren’t playing anymore and we were hoping to get some of those instruments so we can get them into the hands of those kids. We’ll write a grant for the upkeep of the instruments so we don’t have to charge kids, but really our goal is to get instruments in the hands of kids that really want to play music.”

Those who want to donate instruments can go to the district office at 3115 Pole Line Road in Pocatello.