Westwood High Senior Collecting Instruments To Donate

WESTWOOD, MA — When Westwood High School senior David Han was faced with choosing a topic for his senior project, he knew right away he wanted to focus on music. As a student musician, learning to play instruments was an integral part of his school experience. To share that experience, Han decided to start collecting gently used instruments to donate to less fortunate kids in the community.

He named his project "Old Instrument, New Life."

"I'd heard a lot about how in many other towns, including here in Greater Boston, the music programs are not as well-funded, or there are many students who aren't able to pursue lessons," Han said. "I decided that I'd try to provide more access to music education opportunities for students in other communities that aren't as privileged as the one I live in."

Westwood High School offers an elective class called the Senior Independent Project Program, which allows students to work on one project during the year that is focused on their passion. Han, who started playing alto saxophone and piano in elementary school, said it helped him learn to work with others and to improve himself.

Han's teacher, Katherine Stewart, has been teaching the class for two years and said many students choose to incorporate a social justice or community aspect into their projects. "It's a very high stakes experience," Stewart said, adding that at the end of the year, each student presents their project to an auditorium full of teachers, staff and their peers. The class not only pushes students to focus on their passions but encourages independence. "It's a nice blend of personal and independent work," Stewart said.

Han has called on the community to send old or gently used instruments to him so that he can donate them to music education programs in the area, including the Community Music Center of Boston, the Westwood Prodigy Program and Boston’s Josiah Quincy Upper School. Han teamed up with James Giurleo, the former music director at Westwood Schools and founder of the Prodigy Program, to reach out to families for donations.

Han hopes his project will also raise awareness about the importance of music education and access to that education.

"I'm looking to enlist the help of older music students to encourage younger students in local elementary schools to take up lessons," Han said.

To start, Han is accepting donations directly but may have donation bins set up in the future. To donate or arrange an instrument pickup, you can contact David at 20dhan@wpsstudents.org.