Instrument Amnesty

Instrument Amnesty

May 2000

As a part of BBC Music Live, the scheme appealed to people to donate working instruments, which were no longer being played

The Instrument Amnesty programme was devised by Youth Music and presented as a part of BBC Music Live. The scheme appealed to people to donate working instruments, which were no longer being played – from cellos to recorders and guitars to DJ turntables.

Youth Music distributed the donated instruments to local music services and community music groups across the UK and, where needed, provided grants to service or recondition donated instruments.

6000 instruments valuing over £1 million in total were donated by celebrities including David Bowie and Robbie Williams as well as the general public. These helped provide access to new learning opportunities for thousands of children and young people.

Celebrity donations included:

David Bowie – saxophone
The Corrs - bodhran
Craig David - microphone
Evelyn Glennie - cymbals
Jools Holland - keyboards
Mick Hucknall - guitar
Mick Jagger - synthesiser
Elton John - keyboards
Martin Kemp - guitar
George Martin – French horn
Brian May - guitar
Simon Rattle - guitar
Sting - guitar
Robbie Williams – acoustic guitar
Robert Wyatt set of tabla

“The Amnesty is a campaign that strikes chords across the generations and deserves widespread support. It is a brilliant initiative that will empower everyone with a love of music to pass that passion on to a new generation of enthusiasts.”

- Alan Yentob, Creative Director of BBC Television

Priority Areas

Early Years

Our aim is to advance the learning and development of all children aged 0-5, by ensuring universal access to high-quality music-making activities

Children and Young People in Challenging Circumstances

We want to improve the lives of children and young people in the most challenging circumstances by supporting them to achieve their full potential through engagement and progression in music-making

Encouraging Talent and Potential

Our goal is to ensure that all children with musical talent and potential have opportunities to develop their talent regardless of background or chosen genre.

Workforce Development

Our aim is to enable the highest quality music making, by developing a diverse, highly-skilled and inspirational workforce