Lift for Life Academy, St. Louis City’s first independent charter school, found its very own Music Man in Ben Schenberg. He collected musical instruments for his mitzvah project and donated them to the school, which is now in its second year of having a music program.

Son of Randy and David Schenberg of Chesterfield, Ben chose this project because of his love for music. “I am experienced and interested in the musical world,” he said. “I play guitar and clarinet, along with the violin and piano in the past, so I am very musically inclined and I want the students at Lift for Life Academy to have the same musical opportunities I’ve had in my life so far,” he continued. His father is on the board there and for several years taught after school computer classes. He thought this was a great idea.

The collection drive started last spring. To get the word out Ben created a website and put it on his Facebook page. He also passed out fliers and included the information in his bar mitzvah invitation. Several music stores in the St. Louis area, Fazio’s Frets & Friends and USA Music Store, supported Ben’s project and contributed a few items.

“I was going for around 15 instruments, and I exceeded that goal, and I’m really happy that I did. I did get much nicer instruments than I expected, and a very wide variety at that,” said Ben, a student at Parkway Central Middle School. He collected about 20 items, including clarinets, trumpets, violins, violas, pianos, guitars and trombones.

The principal, along with the music teacher and students, were so excited when the instruments arrived. Ben even jammed with a few of the guitar players. “The music teacher was overwhelmed,” said Ben’s mother.

You can learn more about Ben’s project and how to donate used musical instruments by going to www.tinyurl.com/LFLmusic.