If sounds good, it is good

WARWICK — Don’t know what to do with that old violin or cello that has been collecting dust in your attic?

Thanks to the Katie’s Music Wish club at Warwick Valley High School, you can find a new home for that instrument and at the same time help a child who is not fortunate enough to afford one.

Katie’s Music Wish is a new club run by Keely Gould Blaikner, the high school orchestra director, and her students at Warwick Valley High School. The club’s mission is to provide string orchestra instruments to children who have been unable to attain one due to a financial situation. The string instruments include the violin, viola, cello and upright string bass.

How to donateAll string orchestra instruments of any condition will be accepted. Any additional parts including rosin, shoulder rests, instrument cases and bows also are accepted.

Financial donations also are welcome. The money will be used to purchase instruments, bows, cases and repair supplies for donated instruments.

To donate an instrument or financially, please contact Blaikner at kblaikner@wvcsd.org.

How your donation helps Just this past month, four Warwick students have benefitted from the donations and will begin to learn to play their new instrument.

Students involved in Katie’s Music Wish club at Warwick Valley High School will learn basic repair of string instruments to keep them functioning, helping others for years to come.

Playing an instrument can have an extremely positive effect on a child’s life and development. Music has been proven to not only improve brain function but also encourage a creative and flourishing mind. Learning to play a string orchestra instrument shouldn’t be based on economic situations, and your donation will help a child gain these important aspects to learning music.

How to apply for a donated instrument

If you wish to apply for an instrument for your child please contact kblaikner@wvcsd.org for an application.

Katie’s Music Wish’s mission is to provide students with the opportunity to learn to play an orchestral string instrument by the donation of instruments to those students who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford one.

For more information about Katie’s Music Wish email Blaikner at kblaikner@wvcsd.org.

Editor's note: The headline is a quote from Duke Ellington.