SMU co-sponsors MPR used-instrument drive

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University is cosponsoring the Minnesota Public Radio “Play it Forward” used musical instrument drive this April. Around the state, listeners are being urged to donate their used and unwanted instruments at various collection points. They will be passed along to schools and school children with financial need. At Saint Mary’s, instrument donations are being accepted at the Toner Student Center Info Desk, the Valéncia Arts Center and four graduate program locations. Other collection points in Winona include Cotter High School, St. Martin’s Lutheran School and Winona Senior High School.

At the conclusion of the drive, MPR will host a live, two-hour broadcast from the Saint Mary's Cardinal Club, featuring MPR artists-in-residence, the Parker Quartet. MPR hosts will also interview Saint Mary’s faculty and staff and Winona music teachers. All are welcome to stop by the Cardinal Club during the public performance and broadcast. The show runs from 1 to 3 p.m., Monday, April 26.

For more information on the instrument drive, go to:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/cms/features/2010/02/play-it-forward/

Winona instrument dropoff points include:

Cotter High School, 1115 W. Broadway, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Needs: woodwinds, brass.

Saint Mary’s University, Toner Student Center Info Desk, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Needs: guitars, drums, woodwinds, brass, strings.

Saint Mary's University, Valéncia Arts Center, 10th & Vila streets, 2 to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Needs: guitars, drums, woodwinds, brass, strings.

St. Martin’s Lutheran School, 253 Liberty St., 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday. Needs: drums, woodwinds, brass, strings.

Winona Senior High School, 901 Gilmore Ave., 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Needs: drums, woodwinds, brass.