WEEKEND SCENE: West Seattle Rotary collects instruments for Music4Life

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(WSB photos)

At the southwest corner of California and Alaska, Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) members are collecting musical instruents right now for Music4Life, which will get those instruments to students who need them. In our photo above, Rotarian Brian Waid is holding an acoustic guitar that had just been brought in. Rotarian Irene Stewart, who traces her involvement with Music4Life back to its beginnings in the ’00s, said early donations included 3 violins, 2 recorders, 2 clarinets, 2 coronets, a French horn, a trombone, and a banjo!

Music4Life works with 15 school districts around Western Washington, including Seattle, and has collected more than 3,100 instruments since 2007. If you have one (or more) you can donate, Rotarians will be at California/Alaska until 2 pm today, as previewed here a week and a half ago. (You also can donate money to the program.) Waid says they’re having a great time not only collecting the instruments but hearing the stories behind them.

Irene August 9, 2025 (11:56 am)

It was heartwarming to see so many instruments get dusted off, destined for new use by a deserving public school student. I donated first violin in (I still play, but I have much better instrument) and am happy for new shelf space in my closet! And for those who still play an orchestra or band instrument , or want to start playing again, we were happy to recommend the West Seattle Community Orchestras (4 ensembles, all ages, all levels of ability welcome).

Brian Waid August 10, 2025 (10:49 am)

On behalf of the Rotary Club of West Seattle, thank you to each of you who donated an instrument of money to Music4Life. The West Seattle community’s outstanding response was very much appreciated and will benefit students who might otherwise not be able to pursue music through our schools. Brian