Vashon Events Music Instrument Library

Put a musical instrument in a kid's hands by giving your support to the Vashon Events Musical Instrument Borrowing Library! 

With other 500 instruments available, kids on Vashon can play any musical instrument they would like to try, completely free. Of the community members that enjoy the library, 84% are aged 0-25 years old, 42% have low incomes, and 22% are non-white. Accessible to everyone, the musical instrument borrowing library is an amazing asset that every community should have.

The Evening News came out and ran a story on the library! Watch the video above to see it.

Here are some comments from your fellow Islanders about the library:

"The Vashon Music Library is one of the best things about living on this island. Over the span of a couple of years, we have borrowed an electric guitar, an electric bass, a drum kit and an electric cello. My teenage son started teaching himself guitar during the pandemic, basically out of sheer boredom and a desire to see if he could pull off the guitar riffs that he admired from bands like Guns and Roses and Metallica. Having a drum kit and a bass allowed the family to jam along with him, for better or for worse, and spend time together doing an activity that everyone enjoys. It also helped to get him interested enough to start taking lessons and now his music is really taking off. The fact that the music library is free is especially amazing because it allows us to take a chance and just try something new. It’s been a great blessing in a pretty unfortunate time. Thank you."  - Christina George

"The Vashon Events Music Lending Library has enabled me to engage my musicality without the burden of expense. The cost to explore an instrument has been a barrier in the past but the library made it possible for me to experiment and make informed decisions about what to purchase. I have also borrowed and instrument to take an online class which was a blast. It wouldn't have been possible without the work and dedication of Pete and Allison who are always responsive, accommodating and supportive. What a treasure for our island community!" - Leila Khatapoush

"The last time I played an instrument was when I took piano lessons 30 years ago. Thanks to the Music Library, this middle-aged mom has picked up the ukulele, embarrassed her 10 year old with musical misadventures, and eventually, impressed her with an Over the Rainbow rendition that rivals the other amateur attempts we found on YouTube. The proverbial pot of musical gold can be found at the Vashon Music Library, compliments of Pete and Allison--much gratitude!" - Beka Economopoulos   

"The Instrument Library has been a magical presence in our home, with two or three people learning to play guitar, and our daughter particularly taking off, immersed in the challenges and joys of learning new chords and then putting them together for full songs. We are grateful for this beautiful gift from the community -- and for Allison and Pete's vision for the project and dedication to it." - Jenny Sorensen 

"My son is still loving beating on the drum set he got after we returned the music library set. He had a band that came and went, another that's been trying to form for a while, and a friend in Tacoma who just used samples of his drumming in a couple songs they made for a class. Starting next week, he'll start the Live It Out Loud summer program in Tacoma https://www.liveitoutloud.net. Hoping he'll meet lots more folks there to play and grow with. ... All inspired by being able to get his hands on a set for a while to see if he likes it and get some experience before making an investment. Thanks again!!" - Jeff Adams 

"The Vashon Music Library has personally meant so much to us.  We have been through some financial struggles and mental stress but having the opportunity to explore new instruments has been a “light in the darkness.”   You both work so hard to make Vashon a happier and more enlightened place!  Thank YOU!"  - Christine & Frank Gebel

"I am grateful for the instrument library though, I have always wanted to learn the violin but my family couldn’t afford the instrument when I was a kid, especially with how kids change their minds. Exploring the violin as an adult has been a challenge but I really enjoy learning it and intend to continue once I’m out of this graduate program. I never would have gotten to a point where I felt like I could try out learning the violin without the instrument library. I have told everyone about it! It’s such a valuable community resource." - Kathryne Macallan