Keep Music Alive: Gift Instruments to Pasco County Graduating Seniors

Hi, we’re Susan and Richard Duncan, proud parents of children in the Pasco county school music programs, and we’re on a mission to ensure no graduating senior stops playing music simply because they don’t have their own instrument. Our family’s deep connection to music has been a profound gift to our lives, filling our home with joy, creativity, and connection—not only through our kids’ involvement in school programs but also through our participation in a local community orchestra, Harmony of Faith. We were especially touched when a generous member of our community gifted one of our children their own instrument, an act of kindness that transformed their musical journey and, alongside our community orchestra experience, inspired us to do the same for others. We’ve seen how playing an instrument changes young lives, and it breaks our hearts that some talented students, who rely on school-owned instruments, plan to abandon their passion after graduation because they don’t have one of their own to keep playing.

Our goal is to raise $5,000 to purchase a high-quality instrument for one deserving Pasco County graduating senior each year, starting this June 2025. Working closely with local school music directors, we’ll identify a student who has shown dedication to music but can’t continue without their own instrument. Your donations will directly fund the purchase of an instrument—like a contrabass, trumpet, or violin—empowering them to keep creating music for years to come.

This campaign is the first step toward launching a nonprofit to sustain this effort for future generations of musicians. Every dollar will go toward the instrument purchase and delivery, with any surplus supporting next year’s recipient. We’ll share updates on the selection process and the student’s story (with their permission) to show the impact of your generosity. Please donate today and share this campaign to help us keep music alive for a talented senior who might otherwise leave their passion behind. Together, we can pay forward the kindness that inspired us!