(Chelsea Update would like to thank Aubrey Martinson for the information in this story.)
Chelsea Alehouse Brewery is teaming up with Ken Kozora, musician, artist, and musical angel to hundreds of children for “Horns for the Holidays.” Through this program, Kozora has collected musical instruments in good repair since 1996 with the goal of repairing and re-homing these instruments with kids in need in Washtenaw and Livingston counties.
Kozora has a team of “elves” who help him repair the instruments and keep them in good working order throughout the year.
Interested people can bring any musical instrument (band or orchestra instrument) to the brewery at 420 N. Main Street, Suite #100 anytime during regular business hours, and it’s hoped that people will donate them by the end of the year, so students might be able to use them once they get back to school after the holiday break.
“We accept instruments in good condition throughout the year, but the holidays are a time when people are thinking of making room in their homes, and also thinking about doing good,” Kozora says in a press release. “I work with a few school teachers in the area who can help us identify the kids whose families may not have the funds to buy or rent an instrument, or to keep an instrument in good repair.”
When asked why he does this, Kozora says, “I know I would not be a professional composer, performer and educator today if some kind soul had not donated a trumpet to me when I was in 5th grade and we couldn’t afford an instrument.”
He says he’s worked in the environmental movement for many years and this program is a merger of my passions.
“After all,” he says, “It’s a great recycling program. I believe in the magical power of music, that it can heal our souls and that it is a very valuable asset to the long-term social and economic well-being of our communities. And besides all that, making and listening to music is loads of fun, and who among us doesn’t need more of that?”
Horns for the Holidays has an agreement with students and parents that the student owns the instrument, but that it is to be kept in use – not get dusty in a closet, or be sold. The program just asks recipients to turn in the instrument to their band or orchestra teacher if they are no longer using it so it can be given to another kid in need (the school does not own the instrument).
This program is a community effort – if you’d like to get involved, please give an instrument, contribute funds for repairs, or volunteer to repair instruments, or volunteer unused storage space.
If you have any questions, get in touch with Kozora at [email protected]
“Music is really important in my life,” says Martinson founder/community liaison for Chelsea Alehouse Brewery. “Through band I honed my skills as a leader, met some really important people in my life, and learned what it meant to be part of a team. There’s a barrier to participation in band or orchestra for many kids – and that’s not having and instrument. We can help bridge that gap and we’re happy to help! I find Ken’s program really inspiring.”
Since 1996, the group has collected nearly 500 instruments.
As a true grass-roots effort, Horns for the Holidays is not associated with a non-profit organization and your contribution is not tax-deductible, but most people who donate aren’t in it for the tax deduction – they are just happy to see their instrument have a chance to shine once again.
To arrange a drop-off at the brewery outside of normal business hours, contact Martinson at [email protected].
