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Children's Instrument Recycle Program "CHIRP" Started by Mike Hess Making its Way Across the State

By Julie Perine on February 14, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

It started in Harrison County, initiated by a Bridgeport Family. Now CHIRP – the Children’s Instrument Recycle Program – has spread to 11 West Virginia counties.
 
“And now we are heading to all 55 counties,” said Mike Hess, CHIRP founder. “There is a huge need, especially in the southern West Virginia counties where music programs have little funding.”
 
It was five years ago when the idea came along, bringing together the musical aspirations of young children with instruments that were no longer being played.
 
The desire of a child to make music should never be stifled because his or family cannot afford to purchase or rent an instrument. The solution was somewhat simple – a recycling program for musical instruments, Hess said.
 
Around the state, there are hundreds of instruments going unused in homes, hidden away in the backs of closets, in attics – or even mounted on the wall as decoration.
 
“The folks from CHIRP want and need those instruments,” Hess said. “Whatever the shape of the instrument – gently used or in need of repair – they can be evaluated, repaired, sanitized and put in good playing condition, ready to be placed in the hands of an eager student.”
 
Each fall, when music programs start in school, teachers identify situations in which students need instruments.
 
“Then, an instrument is matched to the request and delivered to school to start a new life in the hands of a very happy, young student,” Hess said.
 
Music isn’t just a fun activity, he said. Research has confirmed that music and the arts are a vital part of a complete education.
 
Those who would like to donate an instrument – flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, horn, tuba, French horn, cornet, violin, viola, cello, string bass, drums, bells, guitars or electronic keyboard – can drop them off at Bandland in Clarksburg. Instruments will be processed by a Bandland repair technician and distributed to a child in need.
 
Financial donations are also encouraged and can be sent to “West Virginia Young Musicians Fund,” c/o Michael Hess, M.D., P.O. Box 1345, Bridgeport, WV 26330.
 
“Our goal is to raise $10,000 by April 20 and will use the funds for marketing and repairs as well as distribution of the repaired instruments,” Hess said.
 
On April 20, CHIRP will host a Jazz, Wine and Cheese event at The Starving Artist in Bridgeport. On display and available for purchase via auction will be artwork made from some unrepairable instruments. All proceeds will benefit the CHIRP program. At the April 20 event, a PSA that will run on regional TV networks, will be unveiled.
 
Stay up to date at the CHIRP Facebook page; just open today. Hess said a Web site is being created and should be available by the end of the month. 



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