What We're Up To
As Music4Life™ continues to make progress in providing free access to music education for public school students regardless of their income, we have fun things to share. Read on to find a reason to smile and things to celebrate with us. And if you have a tip or event to share with us, please reach out via email or phone at 206.999.2388.
Events
Everett Dine Out
Thursday, April 23, 2026 - 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Shawn O'Donnell's
122 128 Street Southeast, Everett, WA, 98208 (map)
Enjoy a night out while giving back at Shawn O'Donnell's—where a portion of food and non-alcoholic beverage sales will benefit Music4Life™, a nonprofit that provides free, donated, and refurbished musical instruments to local public school students in need. Learn more here.
"Beautiful: The Carol King Musical"
Village Theatre (Issaquah & Everett) and Music4Life™ are collaborating on the presentation of "Beautiful: The Carol King Musical." The play runs from November 14th to December 23rd at Village Theatre in Issaquah and from January 6, 2024 to January 28, 2024 in Everett. Get more info and buy tickets here.
Music4Life™ is supported in part by chapters comprised of local community leaders. Chapters are rewarded for their financial productivity: The more funds they raise for Music4Life, the more instruments their school district gets.
Some Chapters now produce fund raising events so Music4Life can pay for instrument repairs. The Highline Music4Life Chapter is an example. Rotary members of the Highline Chapter produce the “Blues & Brews Festival” held each August at the Des Moines Beach Park. Another fundraiser is the “Poverty Bay Wine Festival” held in the early spring at the Des Moines Beach Auditorium.
Another example is the Everett Music4Life Chapter's annual community concert series held in April or May. The 2018 concert on May 3rd featured the Randy Oxford Band and several student ensembles. The 2019 event featuring prominent professional music ensembles is preliminarily planned for April 23rd again at the Everett Civic Auditorium. A separate event is being considered for April/May 2019 and featuring accomplished student ensembles.
News
- Details
- Details
Remembering David Endicott
On May 29, 2025, the Puget Sound region lost an individual whose resounding influence on countless young people enabled many to discover the joy of music through his tireless efforts. David Endicott’s life was distinguished by his unwavering dedication, generosity, and a steadfast conviction in the transformative power of music.
A proud Norwegian from Viroqua, Wisconsin, David encountered significant challenges during his formative years in a small farming community. His band director at Viroqua High School, Emery “Nordy” Nordness, inspired him to pursue his educational opportunities. David attended the University of Wisconsin, where his studies were steeped in music, lifelong friendships, and camaraderie. He was an active member of the Madison Scouts Alumni Marching Band, where his love for music and performance blossomed — earning him the affectionate nickname “Tuba Dave.”
David’s professional career in public relations led to his appointment from 1982-1987 as press secretary for Senator Slade Gorton. His tenure in government service continued when Governor Lowry appointed him to the Washington State Healthcare Advisory Board. David operated his own marketing consulting firm in Seattle for many years.
Beyond the corridors of government, David became a well-known figure in Seattle’s political, Rotary, and music circles. His passion for service extended into his work with Rotary Club of Seattle (Rotary #4), one of the oldest and most active Rotary chapters in the country. Serving on the programs committee, he helped shape initiatives that supported the city’s most pressing needs. In 2016, recognizing the changing landscape of community engagement, district leadership asked David to establish a virtual Rotary chapter — Rotary #5030.
Music4Life Begins
Rotary Club of Seattle to help students in Seattle Public Schools, David set out to develop a program to remove barriers for students to participate in instrumental music programs in public schools. The mission of Music4Life quickly crystalized around the goal of donating and repairing musical instruments, free of charge, for use by public school students that did not have the means to purchase or rent an instrument.
The impact of these instrument donations immediately took off, and what began as a Seattle-based program, quickly caught the attention of superintendents in nearby public school districts.
Today, through David’s extraordinary and steady direction, Music4Life now serves students in fifteen (15) public school districts in and around the Puget Sound. Since its founding, Music4Life has delivered more than 3,100 musical instruments, valued at approximately $2 million, into the hands of public school students in need.
Honoring "Tuba Dave"
David will be dearly missed by his community of friends and volunteers, who remember him not only for his accomplishments but for his laughter, warmth, and unwavering devotion to Music4Life.
In accordance with his wishes, donations in memory of “Tuba Dave” are being accepted by Music4Life to ensure that the organization to which he gave so much endures and continues to reach new generations.
If you would like to donate to David's Music4Life legacy, please follow the links on the Music4Life’s Donation Page
David's Impact in Words, Deeds & Pictures
Throughout his remarkable tenure helming Music4Life, David had one goal — changing and improving the lives of children through The Benefits of Instrumental Education. Below are remembrances of colleagues and like-minded individuals, along with a sampling of hand-written, heartfelt thank you notes from students who benefited from the Music4Life program.
"David gave up his career as a professional public relations consultant to serve the youth of Washington because he so strongly believed that music education could set one’s stage for success. His devotion to this shaped the last few decades of his life. He dedicated his life to serving others. He walked his talk."
“Last summer, David allowed two kids in a family to use violins over the summer break so they could participate in a special program. This was a one-off opportunity that they would not have had if not for David’s willingness to think outside the established process.”
“David has always had a heart for kids! In 1976 the then Governor, Dixie Lee Ray, invited the Auburn Blackwatch Drum and Bugle Corps to march in the Carter presidential parade to represent Washington. They needed to raise about $50,000 to pay for their trip. David’s name was given to my husband and the rest is history! David even accompanied the kids and walked the freezing cold with them. I didn’t know he had made an album of the trip until I found it in his apartment after his death. He was loved so much by so many!”
To give the gift of an instrument or a monetary donation in David's memory, please click through to the Music4Life’s Donation Page
Music4Life Continues — A Message from the Board
With heavy hearts following David Endicott’s passing, the Music4Life Board of Directors has been busy over the summer to ensure Music4Life’s important work continues without interruption. In June, the board elected new officers to lead the transition from David's stewardship of the non-profit organization to a new, longer-term leadership team.
Serving as Interim Managing Director is Colleen Armstrong, past Seattle Opera Chief of Staff, who has been on Music4Life’s Advisory Board since its establishment. Stepping into the President’s role is Dr. Gary Cohn, former Superintendent Everett Public Schools and Superintendent of the Year recipient in 2017. Cliff Lenz, former King Broadcaster and co-host of Seattle Today has taken on the position of Vice President. Gary Ryno, of MorganCFO,has returned to his old seat as Music4Life Treasurer. And continuing in their established roles as Directors are Marli Iverson, pianist and long-time member of the Seattle Rotary Club and Dean Petrich, the highly experienced piano technician who has oversight of Music4Life’s piano tuning program.
The board of directors also worked quickly to establish new contact information for Music4Life, including a new mailing address, contact email address, and phone number. Music4Life’s new contact information is as follows:
Mailing Address: Music4Life PO Box 17728, Seattle, WA 98127
Email: info@music4life.org
Phone: (206) 999-2388
Until a new Executive Director is hired to lead Music4Life, the Board will continue to monitor and receive all incoming donations and instruments during the interim period. We hope this information has been helpful and reassuring for all of our friends and donors during this time of transition.
In appreciation for all you do to support the vital mission of Music4Life, we thank you again for your care and concern during this leadership transition. If you have any questions, please reach out directly to Colleen Armstrong at Email: Colleen@music4life.org or (206) 999-2388.
- Details
Total Instruments Delivered
By the end of February 2025, Music4Life has delivered this fiscal year 104 full-size and ready-to-play musical instruments, plus 1,100 recorders intended for fourth graders, all valued at $49,465, to our 15 participating public school districts. Repair shops continued to suffer backlogs due mainly to the lack of qualified repair technicians. All instrument values are after repairs have been completed and are estimated by our independent third-party vendor-experts.
Intended for use by the students of income-qualified families, each instrument is a “loaner” that must be returned when the student leaves the school district (due to graduation, family moves to another school district, etc.) so another student of a family in-need can benefit from its use.
Cohn Joins Governing Board
New to the Music4Life Governing Board is Dr. Gary Cohn, 2017 Washington State Superintendent of the Year as Superintendent of the Everett School District. Gary is a twice-over advocate of Music4Life, having started our efforts for Everett P.S. and, after retirement, introducing us to the Lake Washington School District as President of the Kirkland Rotary Club. He’s already had a substantial impact on us by introducing us to several superintendents and taking the lead on a review of our five-year plan.
Monroe Becomes Our 15th Chapter
We’re in-process of announcing our 15th chapter for the Monroe School District. Superintendent Shawn Woodward has endorsed Music4Life’s work which has provided financial support. He attended our presentation to the Monroe Kiwanis Club, which has already provided start-up financial support for both the new Monroe and Sultan programs. The Monroe Chapter team is being developed and welcomes anyone who shares our values of “kids,” “instrumental music” or “education.” A list of all participating school district programs appears on our website.
Piano Tuning Program Continues
Our new program to tune pianos in our participating public school districts continues under that able leadership of Music4Life Governing Board member Dean Petrich. Our goal is to tune as many as 200 pianos this year among the school districts telling us last spring of their need. (One music teacher told us some of these pianos haven’t been tuned in years!) And to do it annually thereafter. Many thanks to Dean for helping us “invent this wheel.”
City of Auburn Provides Financial Support
The City of Auburn’s Arts Department is an example of a public entity that provides financial support for our work. Its funds are limited, of course, to benefit the students attending the Auburn School District. Auburn has a long history of supporting youth music programs, dating back to funding to send the Auburn Black Watch Drum & Bugle Corps to the 1977 inauguration of President Jimmy Carter. Many thanks to Auburn!
Why We Use TWO Metrics to Measure Success
Music4Life rewards participating Chapters for their relative financial success. This is important because funding is needed to pay our instrument vendors so they can pay their employees. Fairness among Chapters is our goal. To help achieve that fairness we use two metrics:
- The number of instruments delivered; and
- The “fair market value” of those instruments.
For instance, a piccolo and a piano each count as one musical instrument, but their worth is vastly different. The main purpose of this policy is to reward each Chapter team for their success in raising funds so we can pay vendors for their repairs. Some would call this policy “fairness.”
Gifts In Honor of…
The following donations either to Music4Life or to one of our 15 Chapters have been deposited:
- $14,627 by the Des Moines / Normandy Park Rotary Club
- $5,000 by the Highline Schools Foundation
- $5,000 by the Raynier Institute & Foundation
- $2,000 by the Eastside Music Festival Foundation
- $2,000 by the City of Auburn
- $1,000 by the Everett-Port Gardner Rotary Club
- $1,000 by the Kirkland Rotary Club
Looking for Governing Board Members
Music4Life seeks volunteer Governing Board members. Those who share our values of “kids,” “instrumental music” or “education" are welcome to apply. We particularly seek those with marketing, development (fund raising) or finance expertise. Also welcome are those who are interested in service on one of our 14 local Chapter teams. If one of these describes you, just contact us at David@Music4Life.org.
Recorders Program
In 2013 the Seattle Symphony Orchestra (SSO) told us of a new program they were considering for very young kids. Called the “Link Up” program, it is a product of the Carnegie Foundation. Under Link Up, recorders (the little flute-like instrument that sticks straight out of the mouth and that you likely played at some time as a child) are provided to third- and fourth-graders, about as young as most will express an interest in instrumental music). The idea was that local youngsters would get acquainted with their recorders for a couple months and then be invited to Benaroya Hall to play their recorders with the Seattle Symphony. Music4Life™ thought it an inspirational idea that would create life-long memories and agreed to help.
The first year we provided 200 recorders to Highline Public Schools as a test case. Link Up quickly proved to be a resounding success, so the next year we provided 400 recorders and 800 the next year. Everett Public Schools was added in 2017 with 80 recorders. In 2018, Music4Life provided 1,558 recorders to Highline and Everett has grown to 230.
Most importantly is the experience the kids have with the SSO’s Link Up. Several times in March the main floor of Benaroya Hall is packed with kids who are rockin’ with the Seattle Symphony. Parents, other relatives, teachers and others fill the galleries. It’s a real happenin’ and, if you haven’t seen it, you should! Click here for more information about the SSO’s Link Up program.
Photo by Brandon Patoc
Photo by Brandon Patoc
Photo by Brandon Patoc
Photo by Brandon Patoc
Photo by James Holt
Endorsements
“This wonderful program (Music4Life) begins with children in elementary school at a time when, if they’re interested and talented in any way, they have the greatest chance of success. Many people tell me of the impact that direct knowledge of instrumental music has had on their lives. We intend to give this advantage to all our children.”
– Gerard Schwarz, Conductor Laureate, Seattle Symphony Orchestra
“Statistics and research overwhelmingly demonstrate the effectiveness of the arts in improving skill levels, test scores and overall performance of students. But if you sift through the rhetoric to the research you will find that the arts are both a desirable and necessary part of a well-rounded education.
“A recent report by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities entitled ‘Coming Up Taller,’ finds that ‘Safe havens of music, theater, dance and visual arts programs have proved particularly potent in stemming violence and drug abuse, and in keeping students from dropping out of school.’. The report confirmed a significant correlation between arts education and improved academic performance and test scores, increases in student attendance, as well as decreases in school dropout rates.
“Yes, we live in the ‘real world’ now, a world of budgets and bottom lines, bills to pay and jobs to do, family duties and household chores but without strong minds and strong hearts, we will never be able to fulfill all of these responsibilities. This ‘real world’ will be shaped and guided by us, and by our children. And who we are, and who our children will become, is directed by the education we receive. Without a strong education in the arts, all of us, our entire society, shall be the poorer and weaker. Now is the time to make sure that our dreams, and our children’s dreams, can become a reality.”
– The Late Marvin Hamlisch, Famed Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, Tony, Golden Globe & Pulitzer Prize winning artist, conductor, composer, arranger & musician
“As a 10-year-old, I was growing up in Viroqua (veer-OH-qwa), Wisconsin, a small (3,500) town in rural southwest Wisconsin, hardly big enough then or now to fill even one section at Safeco Field. Just into sixth grade, my father had died recently. My mother was blind, as she was to be much of her life. And I had a disabled younger sister at home. My three older brothers were grown and gone. I had become ‘the MAN of the house.’ Somehow we were scraping by on Social Security.
“Left largely to govern myself, I was getting into trouble and hanging out with the wrong crowd. In Viroqua at that time, that meant nothing much more than throwing tomatoes at passing trucks at night and sneaking into the local theater. But I was a kid headed for trouble. Maybe big trouble.
“And then Emory Nordness stepped into my life. “Nordy,” as we all affectionately called him, was the high school band teacher and put a tuba into my hands. He took me off the streets and gave me something meaningful, fun and positive to do with my time. And to this day I believe he literally saved my life. He and instrumental music. Because Nordy also opened the wonderful world of music to me, something I’ve continued to enjoy and appreciate for the rest of my life. My second, long-term life.
“For quite some time, I wondered how I could adequately thank him and others who had helped me along my way. Somehow, “thank you,” even earnestly spoken, just didn’t seem enough. And finally I realized what I could do: Pass his gifts on to other kids.
“And that’s why I became a co-founder of Music4Life. It gives me an adequate way of saying thanks to Nordy, to recognize his gifts, to do something meaningful in my adopted community in the Pacific Northwest and to have some fun along the way. Thanks, Nordy.”
– David Endicott, President/COO & Co-Founder, Music4Life
“What I like about Rotary District 5030’s support of Music4Life is that we’re enabling people to pass on their passion for music to kids who are just developing theirs.
“In her article called The Importance of Music Education Alexis Kalivretenos states, ‘What if there was one activity that could benefit every student in every school across the nation? An activity that could improve grades and scores on standardized testing? An activity that would allow students to form lasting friendships? An activity that would help students become more disciplined and confident? . . . This activity is music.’
“I am proud that Music4Life continues to be endorsed as an Official Project of Rotary District 5030 and of the positive role we’ll play in a child’s development.”
Alan Merry, 2018-19 District Governor, Rotary International District 5030
