I loved my Korg Keyboard when I first bought it about 13 years ago at Guitar Center in Los Angles.
It was a core part of my DAW (home music studio) until I moved to Sweden. Excellent string sounds, lush textures to layer, funky synth sounds- it seemed to have it all.
The hassle of always having to use a heavy transformer, however, eventually wore me out. Sadly, the Korg has since been retired to a desolated, non-creative existence in various closets in various homes. I kept thinking, "Hey, I'll pull it out again," but I have to admit I have just gotten too lazy.
So I thought perhaps those great sounds could inspire a child in need or school somewhere...but where and how would I do this?
The other day, I found "The Music Fund": Music as an instrument for development. "Music Fund" is an initiative from Ictus Ensemble in Brussels and Oxfam Solidarity.
Their mission is to give support to music schools and train repair technicians of musical instruments in developing countries and conflict areas. Hundreds of instruments are collected in Europe each year and redistributed.
In 2005, their first truckload was sent to the Middle East. A year later, they shipped an additional 300 more instruments. They've also shipped to Maputo, Kinshasa, Mozambique, and DRC.
Donating is very easy to do. You can drop off your instrument from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm at the stage entrance at Haus der Berliner Festspiele (Meierottostraße 12, Wilmersdorf).
They will give you an ID tracking number so that you can find out where the instrument landed. They will also repair defective instruments, although many drop off items are in good condition.
I hauled my Korg (as well as Mackie mixer) over, and I'm waiting to see where they will continue to inspire!
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.