PITTSBURGH -- What started as a project before a Pittsburgh teen's bar mitzvah has turned into a way for children to play instruments they may never have had.
Watch Kelly Frey's ReportColeman Dougherty, 13, created the program, "Play It Forward," with matching gently used musical instruments with budding young musicians.
"I just want to see the happiness in other children and how they get it through music," said Dougherty.
The instruments will be divided between two places, the Hope Academy of Music and the Arts in East Liberty and Afro-American Music Institute in Homewood.
"I was just amazed. It was so impressive that a young person could come up with an idea like that," said Linda Addlespurger of the Hope Academy. "What it means for us is that by giving us instruments, we spend less on instruments so we can give more students scholarships."
On Wednesday night, the instruments were used at the Afro-American Music Institute as 13-year-old Shailen Abram, who is blind and can only see shadows, joined his fellow musicians for a rousing jam session.
"This place is a home away from home first of all for all of the kids. There are times that the kids have classes and you can't get them to leave!" said Pamela Johnson of the Afro-American Music Institute.
The first ever "Play It Forward" takes place Saturday from noon until 4 p.m. at Construction Junction in Point Breeze.
They accept any gently used instruments.
Donations are tax deductible.
Related Links: The Afro-American Music Institute Hope Academy of Music and the Arts Construction Junction Copyright 2009 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
