Give the Gift of Music This Season

PING (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation) believes all students deserve access to instrumental music education. But with instrument rentals averaging more than $50 per month, many students would miss out. For more than 25 years, PING has provided band and orchestra instruments to students who benefit from support in the Oak Park and River Forest public schools—and so much more. “To offer true equity to young musicians, we go beyond instruments to provide mentoring, and access to private lessons, music camps, concert tickets, and trips opportunities that help students grow,” said PING Executive Director Michelle Dybal. This year, PING expanded programming to better support musicians at every stage. PING has evolved its mentoring programs, PING Partners (for 4th and 5th graders) and NextNote (for 6th-8th graders). Both connect volunteer mentors from Oak Park and River Forest High School with younger PING musicians who play the same instruments. Through flexible, weekly