Cleveland City Councilman Kevin Conwell oversees Ward 9. Conwell is also an accomplished musician. He said he is using his experience to put together an instrument donation drive.
"I have some friends that used to play the trumpet or piano, and guess what? Their instruments are just laying around their houses,” said Conwell. "Children have to see success every single day. We live through our children."
Rather than letting the instruments sit, Conwell is encouraging people to donate to his instrument bank. He believes music will provide a healthy distraction from the streets. He said music saved his life.
"Idle hands,” said Conwell. “It’s dealing with the idle hands.”
Conwell said he will share more about his partnership with Severance Hall and Cleveland Metropolitan School District, in December.
Conwell plans to begin sharing instruments during Martin Luther King Day in January with a big benefit concert at Severance Hall. Conwell is encouraging people to donate instruments at the concert.
