In 1999, the band’s leadership began exploring ways we could support the Richmond City Public Schools’ instrumental music program. We knew that students were being excluded from school bands and orchestras because families could not afford to purchase or even rent an instrument. Yet we were aware that youngsters who participate in school instrumental music programs tend to do better with their academic studies and, because they are part of a group, tend to stay away from activities that might get them in trouble. So in 2000 we created “Old Instruments for Young Hands” (OIYH).