Festival opens instrument library to students

SANDPOINT — Violins, basses, cellos, electric guitars, bass guitars, trumpets, horns — these are just a few of the instruments that will be available to students through the Festival of Sandpoint’s Instrument Library.

The library is open to local students now that the school year has begun and will offer school year check out until June. In alignment with its mission to provide affordable and accessible music to the community, Festival officials are offering the no-cost instrument library in an attempt to help keep music an affordable option for local families.

The nonprofit first started an instrument rental assistance program in the early 2000s. Students were provided instruments on a scholarship basis that were rented by the festival from other entities, Paul Gunter, the Festival at Sandpoint education manager, said.

“Around 2010, we first started to develop our instrument library, which started with cellos and string instruments and has grown to include several different instruments and accessories since then,” Cienna Roget, the festival’s marketing and office director, said. “This school year will be our first year of operating as an ‘instrument library’ ... Up until now, students have been able to rent instruments from our library for a low cost. Now, students will be able to “check out” instruments by paying a refundable deposit.”

The library also includes a variety of music accessories, including an assortment of amplifiers, stands, strings and cases. The Festival at Sandpoint is always accepting instrument and accessory donations to add to its library.

Students who are interested in checking out an instrument should contact the Festival at Sandpoint’s office to see if any are in stock.

Information: www.festivalatsandpoint.com/education