Frequently Asked Questions
Free musical instruments, performances, tutoring and volunteering — how each one works, who it's for, and what happens after you get in touch. We deliver in person around the Philadelphia suburbs, New Jersey, Delaware and New York, and can ship anywhere in the US.
Getting a free instrument
How do I get a free instrument for my child?
Fill out our instrument application and tell us a bit about who wants to play. Once we have it, we start looking for the right instrument for them. Plan on at least one to two months, and we'll keep you posted the whole way — including if we haven't found a match yet.
Who can apply for a free instrument?
Anyone in the United States. There's no application fee and no cost at any point — if we find an instrument for you, it's yours to play. We ask about your situation on the form so we can understand where the need is greatest, not to screen anyone out.
Where do you deliver? Philadelphia suburbs, New Jersey, Delaware and New York
We serve those areas in person. If you're outside them, please still apply — we can ship anywhere in the US, so apply wherever you are.
How long does a request take?
Plan on at least one to two months. We don't keep a warehouse of instruments waiting — when your request comes in, we start looking for the right instrument for you, and sourcing one takes time. We'd rather tell you that up front than leave you guessing.
What if you can't find the instrument I asked for?
We'll tell you. We'll keep you updated on where things stand, including when the answer is that we haven't found a match yet. We can't guarantee an instrument — what we can promise is that we'll keep looking and we'll be straight with you about it. That's why the form asks for a second choice: it gives us more ways to help you.
Are the instruments new or used?
Either. Depending on what we can find for you, an instrument may be donated and refurbished to playable condition, or bought new. What matters to us is that it's the right instrument and that it plays properly when it reaches you.
What instruments can I ask for?
Strings (violin, viola, cello, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, ukulele), woodwinds (flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, recorder), trombone, keyboard or digital piano, and drum kit. If what you need isn't on the list, choose "Other" on the form and tell us — we'll see what we can do.
Is it really free?
Yes. Every one of our programs is free, and all of them are run by student volunteers. There is no cost to apply, no cost to receive an instrument, and nothing to pay back.
Donating an instrument or volunteering
Where can I donate an old musical instrument?
Tell us about it on our instrument donation form and we'll arrange a pickup or drop-off. We collect around the Philadelphia suburbs, New Jersey, Delaware and New York.
What condition does the instrument need to be in?
Almost any condition. Working, broken, missing strings, in an attic since the nineties — we'll look at anything. Restoring donated instruments is the whole point of what we do, so an instrument you'd write off as unusable is often exactly what we're looking for. Occasionally something is too far gone to restore, and we'll tell you if that's the case.
Can I volunteer?
Yes, and we'd love the help. Volunteers perform at community events, help run fundraisers and donation drives, tutor younger students, and help build the free lessons, sheet music and video tutorials we'll be publishing on the site.
Can I earn volunteer hours?
Yes. Volunteers earn verified volunteer hours you can put on a school or college application, and there are leadership roles for students who want to take on more.
Volunteer application → · Leadership application →
About Pass the Chord
Who runs Pass the Chord?
We're student-led. Pass the Chord was founded in 2026 by Liz Chacko, and the team is made up of student volunteers who play, teach, and care about music. You can read more on our about page.
Are you a new organization?
Yes — we started in 2026 and we're still in our first year. We're honest about that: you can follow what we collect and who we reach on our progress log.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Not yet. Pass the Chord is not currently a registered 501(c)(3), so gifts are not tax-deductible and we can't issue tax receipts. We're working toward that status and we'll update this page as soon as it changes. See our terms for the full detail.
How big is Pass the Chord?
We're brand new, and we're deliberately keeping our goals modest — a realistic target each year rather than promising more than a volunteer team can deliver well. We'd rather do right by every family we work with than overpromise and let people down.
How do I contact Pass the Chord?
Email us at [email protected] — we read everything.