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October 14, 2026
A new partnership is providing unused musical instruments to inspire a new generation of musicians.
The Rotary Club of Canada South, Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO), Windsor Public Library (WPL), and the City of Windsor have teamed up to launch The Robert Franz Play It Forward Instrument Library. The initiative will collect donated instruments, prepare them for lending, and make them available free of charge to Windsor-Essex residents through the Windsor Public Library system.
Named in honour of the late Maestro Robert Franz (1968-2025), whose passion for music enriched countless lives throughout Windsor-Essex, the program aims to remove financial barriers to music education while encouraging creativity, learning, and participation in the arts.
Through the initiative, residents are invited to donate musical instruments they no longer use. Instruments will be evaluated and refurbished by the Windsor Symphony Orchestra before being catalogued and made available for borrowing through Windsor Public Library’s lending collection.
“Every instrument has a story,” said Ann Hetherington, President of the Rotary Club of Canada South. “For many families, that story begins with music lessons, school concerts, and years of cherished memories before the instrument is eventually tucked away. Through The Robert Franz Play It Forward Instrument Library, we’re inviting our community to give those instruments a second life. A donated violin, guitar, trumpet, or flute could help a child discover a lifelong passion, provide a student with an instrument to continue learning, or inspire someone to reconnect with music later in life.
We are proud to bring together community partners who share Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self, accessibility, lifelong learning, and ensuring more people have the opportunity to experience the joy of music. “
“Robert Franz believed deeply in the power of music to bring people together, inspire creativity, and strengthen communities,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “The Robert Franz Play It Forward Instrument Library reflects those same values. On the heels of naming the rooftop level of the Pelissier Street Parking Garage after Robert, and recently posthumously recognizing the Maestro with a Windsor Mayor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts, I am proud to see the City of Windsor and the Windsor Public Library partnering with the Rotary Club of Canada South and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra on an initiative that will place instruments into the hands of residents who may not otherwise have access to them. It is another fitting tribute to Robert’s legacy and one that will continue to benefit our community for years to come.”
“Music, like libraries, is essential to a healthy, connected community”, said Rebecca Ng, Education and Community Outreach Manager, Windsor Symphony Orchestra. “Both enrich our lives, support our well-being, and create opportunities for people to connect, learn, and grow. Access to music-making should be an opportunity for everyone, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford an instrument.
We are grateful to Rotary Club of Canada South, the City of Windsor and the Windsor Public Library for sharing this belief and helping us make the benefits of music more accessible to our community. Instruments can be donated at the WSO Box Office during regular business hours or before any Windsor Symphony Orchestra concert at the Capitol Theatre.”
“Libraries are about access: access to knowledge, experiences, creativity, and lifelong learning,” said Councillor Mark McKenzie, Board Chairperson, Windsor Public Library. “Our Library of Things collection has shown how shared resources can create new opportunities for residents. Adding musical instruments is a natural next step, and we look forward to connecting people with instruments they may never have had the opportunity to try.”
Instruments may also be donated in the following ways:
Accepted donations include guitars, violins, violas, cellos, trumpets, trombones, clarinets, flutes, saxophones, percussion instruments, and other portable musical instruments in playable or repairable condition. Donors are also encouraged to include cases, bows, mouthpieces, music stands and other accessories where available.
Pianos will not be accepted due to transportation and storage requirements.
Following collection, donated instruments will be transferred to the Windsor Symphony Orchestra where they will be evaluated, repaired or refurbished if required, and prepared for lending.
Once approved, instruments will be catalogued and made available through Windsor Public Library. Borrowers will require a valid adult Windsor Public Library card and will be able to borrow instruments for a three-week period, with renewals available when instruments are not reserved by another user.
The Windsor Symphony Orchestra will provide donated instruments to Windsor Public Library on a monthly basis, with the first collection expected to be available for public borrowing beginning December 1, 2026.
For more information, please contact Rebecca Ng, 519-819-1317.
