What happens to musical instruments after they’ve been forgotten about or cast aside?
Rather than collecting dust, Marc George hopes to take those instruments and give them new homes with schoolchildren and others in need.
It’s through his nonprofit organization, Re-Tune, that George and his collaborators work to accomplish this. Since establishing the charitable effort more than two years ago, the project has rehomed around 50 instruments with hopes to “more than double that” in 2026.
Ten10 Brewing will host a live electronica music showcase Saturday with donation-based admission supporting Re-Tune and its efforts to get more instruments to kids. The lineup features Jennifer Place, a project featuring George and collaborator Todd Morgan. Other performers include Dustin Skiles and Synthetic Motion, with DJ support by Mike House and visual support by Sasha King.
When starting the organization in 2023, George found he had a steady stream of donations but not enough places for those instruments to go. Then he connected with the band director at Evans High School, where many of the instruments have found a new home.
Marc George, founder of Re-Tune, stands with Kennedy Rodeffer outside Howard Middle School. Rodeffer, as well as her mom, were “instrumental” in connecting George with the band director to see which other schools might be in need of instruments. (Courtesy of Marc George)
Morgan accompanied George to a recent drop-off and was elated to see the appreciation among kids receiving instruments.
“The reaction was just priceless. They’re young kids,” Morgan said. “A lot of the kids were very appreciative.
“We got an opportunity to see them play the instruments. It was a wonderful experience.”
Re-Tune receives plenty of guitars, but often the need is greater for brass and woodwind instruments for band students. While some arrive in playable condition, many are in need of repairs — making monetary donations equally important.
“Awareness is the number one thing that we can do. Everybody likes a good cause, but the utility effect here for the kids is tremendous,” George said. “I know that there’s instruments out there that are just sitting in a garage or an attic or a bedroom closet that are collecting dust.”
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If you go
The Re-Tune event opens 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at 1010 Virginia Drive in Orlando. Admission is free but donations are encouraged. The lineup includes Jennifer Place, Dustin Skiles, Synthetic Motion and DJ Mike House. For more information, visit Re-tune.org.