To the Editor:

The Albany Institute of History and Art is joining Vanguard Inc., the volunteer wing of the Albany Symphony, in a used-instrument drive for hundreds of music-loving students in need in the Capital Region who yearn to study music in depth and play in their school orchestras or bands, but are unable to do so.

Many of their families cannot afford the expensive rental or purchase fees, and their schools lack sufficient instruments for all the K-12 youngsters who want them. Donations are tax deductible.

The event takes place at the museum at 125 Washington Ave. in Albany on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Instrument donors will receive a card redeemable for free gallery admission.

Instrument donations are given to 16 of the least affluent school districts in or very near the Capital District. Music teachers from these schools choose the ones they need for their students.

Studies indicate that attendance and grades frequently rise when students are part of musical groups at school. Students gain self-discipline, pride, lasting friendships, vital lifetime skills, and best of all, joy perfecting their musical skills alongside their peers at school.

We cannot accept pianos, banjos, ukeleles, electric keyboards, or harps. For further information, contact me, Jill Rifkin, at 518-439-1843 or jrrif@aol.com.

Jill Rifkin

Head

Instruments For Students

Vanguard Inc.