Bradley Donates Musical Instruments to Local High School

Bradley University's music department brightened the eyes of local band students at Manual High School this week. The department donated 13 musical instruments valued at roughly $2500 each to the school.

Students were excited and got to try out the instruments immediately. Todd Kelly, a music professor and chair at Bradley, was there to give a few demonstrations.

"I found it very rewarding to get these instruments into the hands of young musicians who really need them. They had been sitting on a shelf collecting dust, and I think that an instrument was built to by played, not to sit. Many students in District 150 are playing on instruments that are in poor playing condition, which makes the experience of making music difficult and frustrating. It was so much fun to personally hand these instruments to Scott Baldwin and his students, and to watch and hear them being played. I truly hope that this gift from Bradley enhances the band programs in District 150, and gives the students the inspiration to reach their full potential as musicians."