Instrument Library Testimonials
"Alvin is immensely grateful for the loan of the trombone. He has been referred to the Bremerton Youth Symphony for the progress he made this year. We are returning the trombone and while we will not be putting forth the effort to get Alvin to the youth symphony, Alvin is looking forward to learning to play either saxophone or tuba next year, both of which can be loaned by his school. Alvin learned a few other odd instruments this year but has truly loved his trombone and his instructor told us he was able to carry the trombone section as well as force them to play at a higher level."
- Vanessa Burgess
“Allison Shirk and Pete. Allison showed a kindness and believability as a singer - musician. I have not listened to her music yet, but I plan to and soon. Pete demonstrated a charisma that was soft-spoken but business-like, who is well connected with the music events and spaces on Vashon. I am pleased I met them both. P.S. I like Strato-Caster guitars so the loan is great!”
- Timothy J. Geisinger
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to loan a keyboard from the library. My kids and I have spent precious time learning, laughing, and jamming together! I want to return it to you so someone else can have this awesome privilege. I’ll email about how to connect. Thank you and Allison for all you do to inspire and provide creative opportunities on Vashon!
- Julia Anderson
“We have borrowed from the instrument library a few times. Each time it's been fun to watch our 7 year old son explore and learn. We are so grateful for this wonderful island resource. Thanks Pete and Allison!”
- Belinda Olvera-Jovanovich
“An instrument library is truly a gift to our community. Thanks to Vashon Events and Pete & Allison, my daughter now plays the electric guitar and is loving it! Thank you!”
- Dianne Krouse
“The Music Instrument Library is like a dream come true. And for a small town like Vashon to have one is testament to the musical identity of this island. My kids have benefited from exposure to the instruments, and I’ve tried out and enjoyed things I would probably have not tried otherwise, like the accordion!”
- John Coghlan
"I’ve borrowed from (ukulele, guitar amp, guitar) and donated to (electric bass) the Vashon Events Instrument Library and I think it’s the love bomb.”
– Joe Panzetta
"It is really great having a library of quality instruments available to musicians. I’ve used it for visiting musicians playing at my home and or musical guests playing on my radio program."
Whiskey Jim
Host of the The Whiskey Hour Radio Program.
"Vashon events and the music library enrich the experience of living on Vashon in immeasurable ways. If you want to know what’s happening on the island, or you’d like to expand your life by learning a new instrument, Pete and Allison have put in the work to allow participation in music and creativity on Vashon to be effortless, fun, and free. Recently, we borrowed a number of instruments from the instrument library. It couldn’t have been easier, and as a result we have fallen in love with several new forms of musical expression. Their work is a huge part of what makes this community creative, restorative, and magical."
- Ellen Reed
The Vashon Events Instrument Library is a remarkable resource for new musicians or those of us interested in broadening our knowledge of different instruments. Borrowing an instrument before buying one is a low-risk and fun experience -- as it should be.
- Patrick Christie
"Up until last year, I had not heard of the Musicians Library or even knew Pete and Allison. My old bandmates from Ohio and Kentucky were coming for a visit and I knew Tim was not looking forward to bringing his drum kit or Jim his guitars and amps, so I reached out to Pete and Allison and asked for two guitars, two amps, and a full drum kit. Being a bit apprehensive that this was going to really happen, I inquired several times to be assured I could get the necessary instruments as my friends were coming and were all looking forward to us playing in my garage for many hours.
The instrument library is amazing, with pictures and descriptions of the instruments and their availability. Signing out for them, which if you think about it, I didn’t know Pete or Allison and they didn’t know me, and yet I left their house with several hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of equipment with a promise I would return them in a week. All went well. The instruments were as advertised, everybody had a fabulous time and I hope to do this again sometime.
Granted, this may not be the norm for people checking out instruments as you can check them out for months at a time, it sure was a great way to have access to quality musical instruments and the convenience of being able to play them and return them all on island. Please consider this next time you want to make some noise."
- Don Lofstrom (Former bass player for the Sloppy Joez)
"When someone in your family wants to *try* an instrument, but you aren't quite sure whether it'll turn into a long-term commitment to learn it -- the Vashon Events Free Instrument Library is the perfect solution! We borrowed a trombone for several weeks, tried it out, and ultimately determined we weren't going to stick with it long enough to buy or rent our own instrument long term. Thanks, Vashon Events!"
- Nic Warmenhoven
"The musical instrument library is a wonderful community resource!"
- Cosmo Diskan
"Vashon Events does a tremendous amount of work supporting music and art on Vashon Island. The instrument library is a great resource for musicians of all skill levels."
- John Schuh
"The Vashon Events FREE Instrument Library is a gem of a service! We're so lucky to have it on our island. Every community should be so lucky! I checked out a brand new instrument, the process was easy and Pete was very helpful and friendly. I highly recommend this service!"
- Holly Stone
"Vashon Events made it easy for me to advance my musical skills and experience by making equipment available to me that I would have had to purchase otherwise. Having the opportunity to experiment with the loaned equipment helped me identify what worked for me so that I could make informed choices about what to purchase. I'm so grateful for the incredible treasure that is Vashon Events and the music instrument lending library they operate."
- Leila Khatapoush
"Without the instrument library providing a way to expose our kids to different instruments and equipment without a major financial investment, I’m not sure our family band would have formed at all. Every community should have an instrument lending library!"
- Aaron Marsh
"My name is Patricia and I am from Spain. I came to Vashon in August to work as a Spanish teacher at Chautauqua Elementary School. I finished my major last year and I became music teacher because of my love of music. I am also a musician and have studied Cello for eleven years. Unfortunately I couldn’t bring my Cello with me because it is really expensive to and, also, it could be dangerous due to the fact I had a long travel time to come here from Spain. It was something really sad to think I would be without playing my cello for ten months, but a teacher in the school helped me with that. He contacted the music library to ask if they could possibility lend me a cello. A week after, he gave me a cello at the school. It was something so important for me. I am really grateful to the music library because they give me the opportunity to play the cello during these months on the Island."
- Patricia Fernandez Coca
“The instrument library has allowed me to experience opportunities that I would not consider elsewise. What a gift – a way of giving that makes Vashon so unique.”
- Weslie Rodgers
"Everyone should have a music library! Sometimes you just need an accordion. I sleep well at night, knowing a mandolin is just a short drive away. Rather than seek out my music fix on the black market, I have somewhere safe to go."
- Drew Piston
"Huge thanks to Vashon Events for providing a very accessible instrument library on Vashon Island! As a guitar and violin teacher here for over 15 years, I have sent many students to the Music Instrument Library to check out guitars, electric guitars, ukuleles, basses, amps, and even a drum set! This resource is an invaluable asset to our Island community. Not only does it save parents from having to make a half-day trip "over town" off of our island to rent an instrument, but it saves beginning players the expense of investing in an instrument well before they know if they will enjoy playing. Thank you, Allison and Pete, for your dedication to Island musicians, parents of musicians, and Island music!"
- Kim Thal
"I was throwing an event at Open Space and one of my participants requested a keyboard. I was wracking my brain trying to think of someone who might lend me one, when someone told me to check out the Vashon Events Free Music Instrument Library. Allison and Pete were great. They actually had a selection of keyboards and fitted me out with keyboard, keyboard stand, and keyboard stool. They would have even provided me with an amp if I needed one. They were super flexible about picking up and dropping off. It's so great to have a central location where folks can borrow an instrument for a day, a week, or long enough to take lessons for awhile."
- Jeanne Dougherty
"This is, truly and simply, an amazing resource. If you have any interest in music and want to explore an instrument without committing to buying, this is the hottest biscuit you’ll ever find. Tinder for musical instruments!"
-Rick Dahms
Last month I got inspired to play the guitar again after years of neglect and thought "Man, I hope I can find one at Granny's or on Craigslist", and I waste time wondering how I will save up the dough to buy one. Finally my wife says "Why don't you just borrow one from the music library?!" "D-OH! Of course!! I forgot about the music library! How silly!" I drove down to Pete and Alison's house and they immediately set me up with a beautiful Fender Squire for a three month free rental. So friends, don't forget about the music library! Take my wife's advice, and head to the music library first for your musical needs. It's free, it's a class act with quality instruments and it's another solid brick in building our strong community.
-William Forrester
Dear Vashon Events, I am writing to applaud your Free Music Library program. Our daughter has grown in skill and confidence thanks to your program. We, as a family, have benefited as well. Before quarantine, the instrument was an important piece of our daughter's day. Having access to the instrument during quarantine has been a way for her to escape to the beautiful world of music. My wife and I truly believe this opportunity, provided by your program, has been integral to our family's physical and emotional health during this time. Vashon Events and your Free Music Library program will be in our family story for decades to come. Thank you for all you do for our community. Be well and thanks!
E. Russell Ray
To the people of Vashon Island, there are endless reasons why I love living on this island. On the top of that list is the vashon free instrument library! Loads of beautiful, exotic instruments waiting to be played. Let's start a band!? This beautiful and altruistic program is what our world needs right now.... music and love. Pete and Allison are absolutely amazing for doing this. We're so lucky to have them. Please take advantage of this service! Make music. Make love.
Andrew Oldham
During this difficult time for the planet, I find it a blessing to be able to play guitar. As a child, I was not exposed to much music, nor did I learn to play an instrument. My son is now a music teacher, and has been giving me my very first lessons ever, for the past year via FaceTime. I can't even begin to describe what a healing experience this has been. I was able to try a few different guitars (from the Vashon Events Instrument Library), so that now I am looking for my own! Thank you, Pete and Allison!!!
Aimee Fay
You’ll be pleased to know that my 13-year-old son, who has always loved music but never played an instrument, has really taken to the bass guitar, learning basslines to his favorite Talking Heads songs and building the physical dexterity needed to play fluidly. More importantly, he has entered a whole new world of understanding and enjoying music. It has been deeply gratifying to be his teacher and share my musical and instrumental knowledge with him. And of course, with the music library, there was none of the usual parental anxiety around, “what if I spend hundreds of dollars and they don’t take to it?” It removed a barrier to trying something new. This is a really cool thing you do and I can tell you it has had a big positive impact on this family.
Matt Fontaine
“My teenage son has benefited from using the music library for the last few years. He has moved through different instruments as his interest in music grows. Right now he is teaching himself electric guitar and has friends over to play along.”
Natalie Kosovac
"Love this library! It gave my son the chance to teach himself guitar for a while ( a generously long while) so that we were sure he really wanted one. I also borrowed a cello for several months. It is such a gift to the community to be able to play instruments that you might not be able to afford, to try out different ones until you finally fall in love with an instrument and know you want to play it. Thank-you!! You do much for giving this to the Island!!!" -
Abby Enson
"My 10 year old daughter wanted to learn violin and so did my 6 year old son, amazingly the instrument library had violins for both and when I had a deep desire to learn cello, somehow one of those became available as well! What a magical experience and what an amazing gift to the island, i'm so grateful for this opportunity and can't wait to check out that cello again." -
Annie Marie Musselman
"A blessed and amazing service! I have checked out different instruments with NO difficulty. Another Vashon uniqueness that is invaluable!"
Weslie Rodgers
"The musical instrument lending library is a tremendous island resource. We are so grateful! Thank you!"
Stacy Kihlstrom
"We love the Music Library! I’ve always hoped my kids would get into music. Playing the piano as a child and teen was such a great creative outlet for me. My boys never got into piano lessons, trumpet, and the handful of other instruments they tried. When my teenage son wanted to learn guitar, of course I jumped at this opportunity. The Music Library gave him the opportunity to test out several styles of guitars, amps, drums to help him figure out what he liked and didn’t. It was an especially great sanity saver for him during COVID when his other hobbies weren’t available. He worked and saved up his own money to get his own electric guitar and amp. He’s currently saving to get a bass guitar. Thanks for being such a vital “instrument” in instilling a lifelong love of music in my son!"
Kirsten Nelson
"The Vashon Events Instrument library provides equitable access to an impressive variety of instruments for our community. Music is often a "nice to have" and access to instruments can be a real burden for people. This library is available to anyone curious about music. It is a gift to the community and the impact is immeasurable. The lending library has allowed us to try new things without having to invest in an instrument that may not be for us."
Abby Antonelis
"What are the odds? I recently signed up for an online class in chanting as a spiritual practice. It was soon evident that if this was something I connected with that I would need to get a harmonium for accompaniment. OK. Options are to find and buy a used one, order one from India sight unseen/hearing unheard...etc. I FB post for a used one (fingers crossed) and a fellow islander says "The Vashon Instrument Library has one." What are the odds? Going to the "library" this was indeed true! Amazing. Communicating with the "librarians" was, in every case, positive, prompt, and professional. The instrument, which graciously was delivered, is beautiful to look at and most pleasant to hear and play. I can only offer gratitude and ask for support for the folks who had the vision and put forth the effort to sustain such a wondrous and intelligent system...sharing of resources. The library supports existing and budding musicians, helps to keep a vibrant creative culture alive in this community, and allows hearts and music to keep on flowing! Blessings!!!"
Leona Troese
"What a wonderful, generous service to have to bring more music into our home. My family of three has been borrowing a keyboard, and we all play it. We also borrowed an electric guitar and amp, as my five-year-old was fascinated with the instrument. It is a great way to share music resources in the community and to try out different instruments."
Dianne Kerwin
"The free music library is a fantastic and generous service to our community! When my son was deciding on an instrument to learn, the music library let him test out a couple options before he dove in headfirst. It gave him a flexibility and freedom we couldn’t have had any other way. Thank you, Vashon Events! My family is grateful for you!"
Tami Brockway Joyce
"We are so thankful for the music library! Our family was in the middle of moving and our kids didn't have access to their piano. Thanks to the music library the kids were able to keep practicing and enjoying the piano. The rental experience was easy and smooth. We highly recommend the music library!"
Elizabeth Hilliard
"Dear Vashon Musical Lending Library, my musical excursion involved a beautiful, hollow-bodied Vashon guitar and a Crate amp. We were together for about a month and during that time I learned to appreciate the qualities and possibilities of playing guitar with the boost of electricity. It was thrilling! It is a wonderful gift to our community for everyone to be able to have a musical adventure in their life. Sharing musical instruments on a lending basis gives us all the opportunity to explore the world of music. Play on!"
Sally Adam
"The Vashon Music Library is one of the best things about living on this island. Over the span of a couple of years, we have borrowed an electric guitar, an electric bass, a drum kit and an electric cello. My teenage son started teaching himself guitar during the pandemic, basically out of sheer boredom and a desire to see if he could pull off the guitar riffs that he admired from bands like Guns and Roses and Metallica. Having a drum kit and a bass allowed the family to jam along with him, for better or for worse, and spend time together doing an activity that everyone enjoys. It also helped to get him interested enough to start taking lessons and now his music is really taking off. The fact that the music library is free is especially amazing because it allows us to take a chance and just try something new. It’s been a great blessing in a pretty unfortunate time. Thank you."
Christina George
"The last time I played an instrument was when I took piano lessons 30 years ago. Thanks to the Music Library, this middle-aged mom has picked up the ukulele, embarrassed her 10 year old with musical misadventures, and eventually, impressed her with an Over the Rainbow rendition that rivals the other amateur attempts we found on YouTube. The proverbial pot of musical gold can be found at the Vashon Music Library, compliments of Pete and Allison--much gratitude!"
Beka Economopoulos
"The Vashon Events Music Lending Library has enabled me to engage my musicality without the burden of expense. The cost to explore an instrument has been a barrier in the past but the library made it possible for me to experiment and make informed decisions about what to purchase. I have also borrowed and instrument to take an online class which was a blast. It wouldn't have been possible without the work and dedication of Pete and Allison who are always responsive, accommodating and supportive. What a treasure for our island community!"
Leila Khatapoush
"The Instrument Library has been a magical presence in our home, with two or three people learning to play guitar, and our daughter particularly taking off, immersed in the challenges and joys of learning new chords and then putting them together for full songs. We are grateful for this beautiful gift from the community -- and for Allison and Pete's vision for the project and dedication to it."
Jenny Sorensen
"My son is still loving beating on the drum set he got after we returned the music library set. He had a band that came and went, another that's been trying to form for a while, and a friend in Tacoma who just used samples of his drumming in a couple songs they made for a class. Starting next week, he'll start the Live It Out Loud summer program in Tacoma https://www.liveitoutloud.net. Hoping he'll meet lots more folks there to play and grow with. ... All inspired by being able to get his hands on a set for a while to see if he likes it and get some experience before making an investment. Thanks again!!"
Jeff Adams
"The Vashon Music Library has personally meant so much to us. We have been through some financial struggles and mental stress but having the opportunity to explore new instruments has been a “light in the darkness.” You both work so hard to make Vashon a happier and more enlightened place! Thank YOU!"
Christine & Frank Gebel
"I am grateful for the instrument library though, I have always wanted to learn the violin but my family couldn’t afford the instrument when I was a kid, especially with how kids change their minds. Exploring the violin as an adult has been a challenge but I really enjoy learning it and intend to continue once I’m out of this graduate program. I never would have gotten to a point where I felt like I could try out learning the violin without the instrument library. I have told everyone about it! It’s such a valuable community resource."
Kathryne Macallan
"When your kid says "I want to try playing ______!", it puts you in a bind as a parent. Renting (or buying!) something is a gamble. What if the kid puts it down after two days like a faddish Christmas present?
Enter the instrument library!
Our family has borrowed tons of things! The trombone was a wild idea from one of the kids... and sure enough he got bored of it after a couple of days. But when I borrowed the bass guitar and amp about a year ago, I had no idea that it would ignite a new passion in my child! After our loan was over, that fire of interest was still burning bright, so we bought our own. Now he's played bass publicly on multiple stages! We've also borrowed an electric guitar, violin, drum kit, and more. It's not an exaggeration to say that the easy and generous availability of the instrument library has altered the direction of my kids' lives.
Nic Warmenhoven
”The Instrument Library has led me to a completely new place in my life. Ever since I first borrowed the bass I fell in love with playing music. Now, because of the library, I want to go to college to study music and I want to be a professional musician. None of that would’ve happened if I didn’t have easy access to all sorts of amazing instruments!”
Japhy
"When I was 10, I wanted to try out playing guitar, but I am left-handed and the instrument library on Vashon did not have any left-handed guitars. They put the issue on social media for debate: either buy a left-handed guitar or force me to play right-handed. After some discussion, the community came together to help purchase a left-handed guitar for the instrument library and I was the first person to check it out. This experience helped me take some of my first steps towards my career as a left-handed musician. I moved on to electric bass guitar and the instrument library helped me again when I needed an amp to try when I got my first electric bass. I have since moved up to upright bass. I continue to play left-handed and am hoping to get a degree in music. I am thankful to have the resources the instrument library provides to Vashon Island.”
Marlowe, age 14
”This past summer, I was able to borrow a tenor saxophone from the Instrument Library. This allowed me to learn how to play without having to spend a lot of money. Having been able to learn how to play over the summer, I was able to join the high school band this year with an increased level of preparedness. A year before that, I borrowed a bass amp. Having an amp made it so that I could play music with my friends, which made me realize how much fun being in a band is, and led to joining other bands, like Orbit Music Club. The Instrument Library has helped me pursue music and try out new instruments in a low-stakes way. These experiences have led music becoming a huge part of my life, and I am incredibly grateful to have access to such an amazing resource.”
Neko Rogneby
"My son is a jazz lover-listening to all eras and styles. Because of the instrument loan of a trumpet (during COVID) to my teenage son, he gained an avenue to playing jazz that his French horn (also borrowed) didn't offer him (due to the rarity of horn parts being written for beginning jazz players). He now practices regularly every week and participates in the high school jazz band. Thank you!"
Kristina Miller
Pete and Allison,
As rare as it is these days for me to find time to sit and pen a letter, I cannot let my tardiness and lack of time stop me from expressing my immense gratitude for the wonderful and unique opportunity that you provide to our island.
My four-year-old daughter found an interest in music at a very young age – before the age of two in her preschool class. In fact, her very first instrument to play, hold, and strum was a ukulele that belonged to her preschool teacher. That same teacher told us about the Vashon Instrument Library and encouraged us to search for instruments for our daughter to try at home; which we did, and we have been loyal borrowers ever since. Our youngest, now almost 2 years old, is discovering the wonders of music and is showing interest in the instruments that her big sister plays.
There is something truly magical about music and it is evident when you see a little child light up at the sound of music. My daughter gets instantly transfixed when she sees people
playing instruments and she gets inspired to try it herself; whether she picks up a broom and pretends it’s a violin, banjo, or guitar, or she picks up the actual instrument. The act of playing and performing changes her demeaner and gives her confidence, unlike in any other setting.
Seeing my daughter mature into a little kid, grow more and more in love with music, and have an unending curiosity and drive to play any instrument is truly life altering for me. I am so grateful for her preschool teacher for introducing music and instruments and for telling us about the Vashon Instrument Library. I am forever grateful for you and Allison for committing your time and energy toward sustaining such a unique and life changing opportunity (for free!) for our island. It is changing lives for the better, as I see it changing my daughters’ lives.
Thank you for all you do for our island. I can only imagine the challenges you must face in your roles, but please don’t stop! Your service is rare and makes all of our lives better.
In great appreciation,
Stephanie and Ellery Johannessen