Do you have a banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass, or mandolin—or any other instrument, for that matter—collecting dust in the back of a closet?
The Montgomery County Junior Appalachian Musicians (MJAM) program, housed at the Montgomery Museum of Art & History, can put it to good use—one way or another.
Student-level string band instruments go straight into our instrument library, where they’re checked out by young musicians eager to learn. Higher-end instruments – the kind that carry more responsibility than most families are ready to take on—are carefully matched with students who are showing real dedication to their music and to the broader community. Others are sold through trusted consignment partners, with proceeds going toward new student instruments, repairs, and program expenses.
What about instruments outside the string band family? They still help keep the music alive! These are also consigned, with the funds going directly to support our work. And even instruments that are no longer playable won’t go to waste—thanks to an upcoming Museum program, they’ll find new life as art!
By donating an instrument, you’re not just clearing space in your home — you’re helping the next generation carry forward the music of the Blue Ridge. To learn more about donating, contact MJAM Program Director Jason Dilg at mjamprogram@gmail.com.
Together with the Montgomery Museum, MJAM is making sure every instrument has an ongoing story in our music’s tradition.
Montgomery Museum
