Community rallies for Dist. 300 music students

In homes throughout the northern Fox Valley on Saturday, former musicians and their parents headed to the basement and dusted off their discarded drum sets, clarinets, saxophones and horns.

They then took those instruments, relics from their former playing days, to the Algonquin Commons outdoor mall, where they donated the instruments for the benefit of students in Carpentersville-based Community Unit District 300.

The District 300 Foundation for Educational Excellence, which supports students and teachers in the district, is collecting new and gently used instruments this month in hopes of creating an instrument library where teachers from across the district can check out instruments for their music students to use.

On Saturday, the foundation and the Commons collected instruments all day, about 30 in all, including bells, a baritone and an upright piano - most in good condition.

"Especially in these economic times - I'm amazed," said Diane Magerko, performing and fine arts chair for the District 300 Foundation. "I was happy to see how the community supports the district."

Deb Blevins of Lake in the Hills donated a snare drum her sons used to play.

"I think it's a great idea that some one else can use them" Blevins said.

Magerko got the idea for the instrument drive after talking to a music teacher in the district, which serves many disadvantaged students.

"It's so important that we have the instruments because some of these kids can't even afford to rent one," Magerko said. "This is going to help a lot of kids."

Each person who donated an instrument received a voucher for a free appetizer from Houlihan's, a restaurant and bar in the Commons, and was entered in a drawing for a $100 Houlihan's gift card.

You can still donate an instrument until the end of the month by dropping it off at guest services at the Algonquin Commons, Commons Drive and Randall Road, or by calling Diane Magerko at (312) 310-9156.