New Instrument Program Brings Music to Mountain Home Junior High

IPLAY's first instrument recipient Devin Vaughan poses with IPLAY Chairman Kathryn Smith and his new clarinet.

Mountain Home Lodge #19 of the Independent Order of Oddfellows (IOOF) has started a new musical instrument program to help beginning band students in Mountain Home access free instruments. Through Instruments Provided to Local Area Youth, or IPLAY for short, the IOOF has been gathering band instruments that beginning band students in Mountain Home Junior High can apply for during each application process. One applicant per available instrument is selected, and that student will be able to use their instrument free of charge throughout high school.

IPLAY hopes that this free access can encourage kids who may not otherwise consider joining the band over concern for instrument costs. Normal wear and tear repair costs will be covered by IPLAY, and local music business Monkeyman Music, who has been working with IPLAY, is offering discounts on instrument accessories to any IPLAY recipient.

Last month marked IPLAY's first year, and one student has already received an instrument. In September, IPLAY met with 7th grader Devin Vaughan, who had requested a clarinet during an application process at the start of the 2013-2104 school year. IPLAY was thrilled at the chance to help this student, who has been enjoying the clarinet ever since. More instruments are still available, so please keep an eye out for future application round announcements, especially at the start of new semesters.

As a non-profit fraternal organization, the IOOF runs its IPLAY program through local fundraisers as well as the generosity of the community. So far, funds have been raised through local yard sales at our lodge hall and online, and donations of cash and gently used instruments. These donations make this program possible, and instrument donations especially help reduce costs for the program so long as only minor repairs are needed. IPLAY would like to thank the community for its generosity and support of the program thus far, especially Mountain Home Junior High and High School band director Jerry Tippets and local businesses Monekyman Music, Intermountain Stamp and Engraving, MPS Home and Personal Electronics, Ken's Kollectibles, Ryan's Computers, and Wondertrail for their support throughout this process.

Anyone interested in learning more about IPLAY, making a cash or instrument donation, or in joining the Independent Order of Odd Fellows is welcome to call IPLAY Chairman Kathryn Smith at 208-995-9989. All donations are always greatly appreciated, are tax deductible, and will help the program immensely. Mountain Home Lodge #19 IOOF and IPLAY thanks you for your support!