Legacy Children’s Foundation will be kicking off the annual instrument drive with their first-ever Open Mic Night at Cochrane Coffee Traders on Jan. 31.
Anyone is eligible to hit the stage at the event, which aims to spearhead the donation of musical instruments to the group’s Gift of Music program.
“The event is a way to raise awareness for (the Legacy Children’s Foundation),” said Darryl Wernham, CEO of the organization. “The open mic night is drop in, so we hope people show up to participate. We’ve always had a lot of support from the community of Cochrane.”
This is the eighth year of the instrument drive, and the fourth for Cochrane. Over the years, Wernham said the program has collected a total of between 700 and 800 musical instruments.
The instruments get refurbished, and then are given to children enrolled in the Gift of Music programs.
In addition to the instruments, children in the program are given access to music lessons.
The not-for-profit group aims to keep at-risk children in school and out of trouble with the law, said Wernham.
It’s modeled off of similar programs in Chicago and Los Angeles.
The organization has a province-wide reach, involved in locations like Cold Lake, Calgary and Cochrane.
The Cochrane project got underway in Fall 2012, by teaming up with the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area to run a weekly music program for children from Cochrane and Morley. Each week, the kids attend an after-school music lesson.
So far, Wernham said the project has been successful.
“Music is an interest that draws kids in — they love it,” said Wernham. “Once they’re in the lesson, they start to connect with their music teacher. Some of these kids have stuck with the same instructor for three or four years. Often, this could be one of the longest relationships they’ll have at this point in their lives.”
Currently, the foundation has about 250 Alberta kids involved in the programs, with a success rate of 80 per cent, said Wernham.
Donations can be dropped off on weekdays at the Cochrane Alliance Church.
While all instruments are welcome, Wernham said the group is especially short on guitars.
The Open Mic Night will be run from 7-8:30 p.m. and admission into the event is free.
Anyone looking to perform is encouraged to arrive early.
For more information on Legacy Children’s Foundation’s Gift of Music program, visit legacygiftofmusic.com.
