Returning Borrowed Instruments to YYO
YYO staff and board members at the first socially-distanced Instrument Drop-Off during the Fall 2020 semester.
Greetings, Ypsilanti Youth ORchestra Community,
In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought our YYO season to a screeching halt. COVID interrupted the lives of many and impacted our ability to conduct our day-to-day operations. Between Spring 2020-Fall 2021, families borrowed musical instruments from us in good faith. Several instruments, including our much-requested violins, have yet to be returned. We realize that some students have graduated or taken a break from YYO. Our current YYO students now need those instruments for classes.
Our Violin 2 class performed at the 2022 YYO Winter Showcase in the Ypsilanti Community Middle School Gymnasium. This was one of fourteen classes that YYO offered for the Fall 2022 semester. Photo credit: F5.6 Studio LLC.
In our current season, 60% of our students are new to YYO. Many have never played an instrument. About 1 in 5 students requested to borrow an instrument from YYO. We are only able to honor many of their requests with your help.
Please return instruments on Saturday mornings at Ypsilanti Community Middle School (510 Emerick Street, Ypsilanti) between 8:30 am to 11:15 am. When returning an instrument, we ask that you do the following:
Please notify us by phone/ text (734) 743-2414, or email (manager@ypsiyouthorch.org) that you are coming so that we know to expect you. A member of our team will meet you at the main entrance.
Please include a copy of the Borrower’s Agreement or write the student’s name on a slip of paper inside the instrument case. This will allow us to update our records.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Sincerely,
Ms. Matasha W. Allen, Director of Operations
Ypsilanti Youth Orchestra