Keynote Media collects musical instruments for needy schools, students

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Keynote Media Group, a marketing and branding firm downtown, has launched a musical-instrument donation program to help needy students and schools in the area.

The “Let’s Start A Band!” initiative is designed to collect playable used band and orchestra instruments and get them in into the hands of young people who can’t afford to buy or rent them, said Richard Hahn, Keynote founder and CEO.

Hahn is a graduate of YSU’s Dana School of Music and former public-school music teacher.

“Arts funding continues to dry up, and poverty is on the rise, a perfect storm for the arts,” he said. “Many band directors I know, especially those in inner-city and rural districts, are feeling the effect.”

A number of inquiries have been received from adults who have their high-school clarinet or trumpet still in the attic gathering dust. Using social media as the main marketing strategy for the program, Hahn said he already has had a donation inquiry from Kentucky.

Keynote is accepting the instruments at its office at 201 E. Commerce St. The initial goal is two dozen instruments before the holidays. Hahn said that if things go well “we’ll continue the program after the first of the year.”

Once the instruments have been deemed playable, they will be cleaned and given either to the band director or to a needy family at the school’s recommendation. Any interested donors, school principals or band directors wishing to inquire about the program can go online to the Facebook page www.facebook.com/letsstartaband.