Spreading the love of music throughout Wisconsin thanks to donated instruments
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Music is said to be the universal language. But because of the steep cost of instruments, for many families, it isn't always within reach. But the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, which is the state's largest and oldest community music school, is bridging that gap for our community.
13-year-old Jaihun Chawda has been playing the violin for half his life. He says, "it's really soothing," and he loves "the melody" of the instrument. He's been mastering his skills at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, as he attends weekly lessons. Those lessons live beyond the sheet music and outside of recital halls. He explained that at his first recital, "my knees were trembling and everything. But now i feel like i'm really used to it."
William Beecroft, a violin maker who had 32 violins donated to the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
"There's something about creating music that is very life-changing," shared Brenna Liebold, a music therapist and singer. She was inspired by her maternal grandfather, William Beecroft. She said he "had gone back to school to be a music therapist, but had a heart attack and couldn't continue." So, she picked up his career path — and love of music. "He would play violin, my grandmother would play piano, and i would sing - standing in their little music room, and that was my biggest tie, to my grandfather. And when he passed away, he had the violins left over."
William Beecroft, a violin maker who had 32 violins donated to the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
The violin maker reportedly won awards for his craft, according to Liebold. 32 of his violins were donated and are now played by students, like Jaihun. "I really, really wanted the music to live on. I wanted the instruments to be played and not just set aside. I understand and i appreciate the visual beauty of an instrument like that, but the real purpose of that instrument is to make music," she said.
"Once you donated them, what did you feel then?" asked reporter Montse Ricossa. Liebold responded, "I was proud of my grandfather's skills. He won awards for making some of those violins. But i also felt like he his passion for the violin, specifically he he wanted all those grandkids to learn to play violin. The violin was the biggest interest he had to share, and I still wanted it to be shared. So i felt, i felt that the music and his violins had found a good home and someplace the music will continue."
The love of music throughout Wisconsin has continued in part thanks to Eric Tillich, President and c-e-o of the conservatory. He said he's "always had a love for music" and started at WCM nearly ten years ago. Tillich explained he came up with the idea of an instrument drive, where community members donate their old or unused instruments. They are then refurbished and given out to students and schools in need throughout our hometowns.
"I was trying to think of a way that could have the biggest impact across Milwaukee in a way that wouldn't necessarily break the bank for the conservatory." — Eric Tillich
Instruments can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars each, making them unrealistic for some, explained Tillich. "The cost associated with renting an instrument or purchasing instrument is it can be astronomical for some families."
Throughout the nine years, approximately 800 instruments have been donated to give away, removing the financial barrier, and providing access throughout Southeast Wisconsin.
Montse Ricossa:
In 126 years, this is, is this the first time that instruments are given out to anybody in the community?
Eric Tillich:
That I know of.
Jaihun hopes other kids can get the same chance as him, to play, no matter the cost: "I feel like they'll enjoy it as much as I do. I love music."
"I look at it like kind of a ripple in the water like you provided one instrument. And what does that mean for that person that gets that instrument it it continues to, like, concentrically, go out and impact other people. That person may be able to do a recital and impact other people that listen to that music, and then it may be, maybe it has a bigger impact on people," said Tillich.
Liebold encourages those with instruments laying around to dust them off, and spread the love of music: "There can be generations of music and generations of introducing children to a love of music that is going to live, live on beyond me. It's something that can be passed down, and it's something that is shared, and music is meant to be shared."
"The pure joy of students learning music is what is really the end result, and sometimes it might be the only piece of joy that some of these students might encounter during the day." — Eric Tillich
Instruments are still being accepted at WCM’s McIntosh|Goodrich Mansion on Milwaukee’s East Side. Monetary donations to the Instrument Repair Fund can be made online, by mail, or by phone at 414-459-3447, with contributions accepted year-round.