Aileen has launched a campaign calling on people across Scotland to donate their unwanted and unloved musical instruments to be passed on to children across the country to give them the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of music. The campaign has the support of Franz Ferdinand bassist Bob Hardy.

Musical cast-offs play it again - BBC News, 2nd January 2009

Franz Ferdinand bassist in call for old instruments - The Herald, January 2009

Franz Ferdinand star's guitar gift to budding musicians - Daily Record, 2 January 2009

Bassits backs instruments campaign - Scotsman, 2 January 2009

The instrument amnesty, under the working title of 'Play it Again' and based on a scheme operating in London, will be given a Scottish flavour in 2009 after SNP MSP for the South of Scotland, Aileen Campbell, brought together musical stars, including Franz Ferdinand's bassist Bob Hardy, performers and cultural figureheads together to give their backing to her campaign.

The campaign has received backing from musicians, organisations and charities with The List, the Scottish Arts Council, The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Aberlour – Scotland's Childrens Charity, BBC Radio DJ Vic Galloway and musicians Bob Hardy (Franz Ferdinand) and Andrew Gifford (Fiddler's Bid) all keen to support to 'Play it Again'.

Aileen Campbell MSP said:

"After seeing a similar idea in London I decided to set up a campaign here in Scotland.

"There must be hundreds, if not thousands of unwanted instruments lying unused in people's homes.  I'm asking people to go and have a look under their beds, in their cupboards and lofts, and donate those unwanted instruments they find.

"And if you've been given a new guitar or a new drum kit for Christmas – what better way to make space for it than by giving us your old one?

"These donations will give someone else the opportunity to experience the pleasure and benefits learning to play an instrument can bring and I know that, given the generosity of the Scottish Public, when we go live with our campaign, we will not be disappointed."

Bob Hardy, bassist with Scottish band, Franz Ferdinand said:

"This is a great campaign and as soon as I heard about it I knew I'd like to donate one of my old basses.

"My life as a bass player started when Mick Cooke of Belle and Sebastian gave an old bass of his to Alex and Alex passed it on to me.  That bass changed my life and it's exciting to think what future musicians could be set on their way by a similar gift.

"'Play it Again' is a great campaign that I'm really happy to be involved with, there's few things in the world as rewarding as learning to play an instrument and I can't think of a more worthy cause to donate my old bass to."

Chair of the Joint Board of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, Dr Richard Holloway said:

"I am looking forward to getting this scheme off the ground.  Through the Sistema Scotland programme I have seen at first hand the huge and positive difference music can make to people's lives.  We need to let these unused instruments play again and this project can make that happen.  The Scottish Arts Council does a tremendous amount of work in trying to widen access to the arts and this scheme will beautifully complement what's already happening across Scotland."

Addie Stevenson, Chief Executive of Aberlour – Scotland's Childrens Charity said:

"We know just how incredibly positive something as simple as music can be to a child's creativity  and self esteem and in many cases it can be life changing.

"At Aberlour we work with children and young people from a broad range of backgrounds who face many barriers and hardships in life. Too often they simply don't get the chance to find out how music can make a difference. This campaign will offer some of these children support and opportunity to have a go, to have fun and perhaps to discover unrealised musical talent."

Notes:

1 – The official launch and details of where to donate will be released later this year

2 – Music Magazine, The List, will develop the campaign and publicise throughout the year

3 – For details of the London campaign visit here.