New music program allows people to borrow instruments
Posted June 7, 2016 4:32 pm.
Last Updated June 7, 2016 6:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Even before Judy’s family moved from the Philippines, the 17-year-old had a passion for music.
Last year, after three years in choir, she picked up a guitar and began a program at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music.
Today she became the first person to rent a guitar as part of the new Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library Program. Using a Vancouver Public Library (VPL) card at the central downtown location, people can now borrow from a collection of more than 100 instruments including guitars, ukuleles, keyboards, violins and even a small harp, at no cost.
“I don’t have my own guitar at home, well I do, but it’s not a very good one,” Judy said. “When I learned I could actually take one out here today I asked if I could and they said yes. I’m very excited.”
Judy and fellow musical school student Emet, 15, performed two songs at the program’s official launch.
They were joined by Mother Mother’s Ryan and Molly Guldemond and Hedley’s Jacob Hoggard and Tommy Mac who threw their support behind the program and donated guitars and a keyboard.
“Not only are we encouraging community we’re also giving the next generation an opportunity to explore the arts in a way that they might not have otherwise had the opportunity to,” Hoggard said.
The launch was also marked by a $130,000 donation from Sun Life Financial, who also donated the first 100 instruments. The lending initiative began this April in Toronto and Sun Life hopes to extend it to cities across Canada.
Instructional videos on the library’s website show how to use and care for the instruments.
VPL has also started a donation drive and will accept new or gently used instruments at any branch location until July 4th.
