Sarah: Filling the community with music one instrument at a time.
Music connects us all. Girl Scout Sarah knows this firsthand, using her passion for art to create change. To earn her Gold Award, Sarah created the Musical Lending Library at the Fayetteville Free Library in New York, which gives prospective musicians a chance to try out different instruments before committing to purchasing, ensuring they get the one that’s right for them.
As a violinist, Sarah knows it can be difficult to find an instrument. She says, “Musical instruments are expensive, and it's often difficult to get started when [you’re] worried about the costly commitment of purchasing one. This obstacle prevents the ‘getting to know you’ stage of one's relationship with their instrument, because it often takes longer than a few hours in a shop to decide which one is best for you.” She continues, “like many kids, I had done piano lessons from the age of six before realizing I would prefer to play the violin.”
While Sarah found the musical instrument that worked best for her, she wanted to continue with her passion for music by helping others in her community discover theirs too through making musical instruments more accessible for all. She says, “It's difficult to find places to access instruments and musical accessories in my community, and this can discourage people from taking up an instrument, especially when there's a financial barrier. People would be more likely to give musicianship a shot if they can try out instruments free of charge.”
She solved this problem by founding the Musical Lending Library, which was composed of donated musical instruments, accessories, and sheet music. Sarah hosted the Musical Lending Library at the local library and on a website, where music tutorials, instruments, and accessories (like microphones) were accessible free of charge for a limited time.
The Musical Lending Library was an immediate success. It drew a diverse crowd, getting attention from musicians and performers from all grade levels and even adults who were inspired to take up a new hobby. Sarah explains, “According to the library loan records, instruments offered in the collection were checked out within the first week of the collection being launched, and the feedback from responses stated that the website and borrowing program was both easy to use and helpful for beginners.”
Throughout this process, seeing others experience the power of music only deepened Sarah’s passion. After overcoming a health scare at home on the day of her fundraiser concert, Sarah was able to bring the community together for a packed performance that inspired them all. Her diligence in leading a team, along with their willingness to participate, helped greatly in the launch and success of the Musical Lending Library.
Sarah made a profound impact, that’s for sure. She helped everyone understand the significance of music education and even discovered new skills along the way. Her efforts to fill everyone’s lives with music will carry on through the Musical Lending Library with Fayette-Manilus High School's Tri-M Music Honor society, which plans to offer additional opportunities for students to explore and learn more about how to care for the instrument collection.
Beyond her local community, Sarah’s Musical Lending Library inspired a fellow Girl Scout in California to pursue a similar Gold Award. Initiatives like Sarah’s are especially important. She explains, “Across the United States, and even across the world, music education is not prioritized in schools, with budget cuts in districts usually targeting music and art programs as the first things to go. The Arts Education Data Project [further] examined schools across the country and reported that over 3.6 million students do not have access to music education. This figure is shocking, especially considering how beneficial music education is to children—it can prevent cognitive decline, bridge language and cultural barriers, and be an outlet for creativity.”
While Sarah reached many of her project goals, she notes the most successful part of it all was the community’s involvement. “The instrument donation drive exceeded my expectations … I received so many helpful tips from local musicians that were included in my website, and people helped me promote by sharing social media posts about the lending library’s launch. I’m proud of how I was able to bring the community together and make a collective difference that benefits us all.”
As Gold Award Girl Scout Sarah says, “Music is a golden thread that weaves in and out of communities, cultures, and individuals, a universal language that knits us all together. Just from walking the streets of your hometown, you may see a passerby listening to their favorite album, hear a welcoming jingle from a nearby shop, or watch a street performer turn the sidewalk into their stage.” Now, thanks to her, the music will play even louder.
