HORNS FOR HAITI Inc. Horns For Haiti Inc, a 501c3 tax exempt non-for- profit organization. |
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The full band of St. Mathias in Cayes During Covid
March 2, 2022 Pandemic? What Pandemic?
It seems nothing deters my two proteges Saurel Bernier and Agouthe Valmont as they carry on their
career in band instrument repair. April 21st marks the one-year anniversary of the start of their music
business. In spite of my advice, the young men have named their shop “Shop Billy D'Haiti” in honor of
their "Pwofese". I of course, am honored and bursting with pride as these young men repair horns for
schools and churches in the mountain region of Central Haiti. In addition to mending horns for their
grateful customers, they carry on in my absence, teaching young men and women how to repair and
maintain woodwind and brass instruments.
Thanks to all that have supported Horns for Haiti through
these difficult times. Here’s proof that good always prevails.
It seems nothing deters my two proteges Saurel Bernier and Agouthe Valmont as they carry on their
career in band instrument repair. April 21st marks the one-year anniversary of the start of their music
business. In spite of my advice, the young men have named their shop “Shop Billy D'Haiti” in honor of
their "Pwofese". I of course, am honored and bursting with pride as these young men repair horns for
schools and churches in the mountain region of Central Haiti. In addition to mending horns for their
grateful customers, they carry on in my absence, teaching young men and women how to repair and
maintain woodwind and brass instruments.
Thanks to all that have supported Horns for Haiti through
these difficult times. Here’s proof that good always prevails.
2020 REPAIR WORKSHOP SUSTAINABILITY |
1ST CLASS OF STUDENTS NOW TEACHING DURING PANDEMIC |
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Horns For Haiti Fundraiser with Chouk Bwa at Caffe Lena 2019
(photo courtesy of Joe Deuel)
Thank you to all who helped make our 1st HFH FR an outstanding success. In spite of the political turmoil in Haiti, music is still a powerful and driving force among the people of the island nation. Stay posted as I plan the next trip and series of repair workshops. Bondye Beni Ou, (God Bless You) Bill Cole
(photo courtesy of Joe Deuel)
Thank you to all who helped make our 1st HFH FR an outstanding success. In spite of the political turmoil in Haiti, music is still a powerful and driving force among the people of the island nation. Stay posted as I plan the next trip and series of repair workshops. Bondye Beni Ou, (God Bless You) Bill Cole
With hope comes achievement,
achievement comes sustainability. With each workshop I do, I am seeing improved skills among the returning students. Now as new students join us I am noticing the older students taking it upon themselves to teach the younger students. I think that's the part of the over all progress I like the most! Broken instruments, once discarded, now have new life as they are played in the performing groups at Hope on a String and St Esprit School . In my absence, students and teachers are repairing instruments and proudly showing me their work when I visit. Wow! Thanks to all of my customers that have given me instruments for my trips. This last trip I brought 12 rebuilt and to be rebuilt instruments that the students worked on while I was there. Special thanks to Music Medic for their generous donations of pads and supplies. Jim Andrews for over the top support of instruments and donations. John Kirk and Trish Miller for the golf club carrier that I have dubbed the TTT. (Triple Trombone Transporter) Bill and Karen Burns for paying for my preventive meds. The endless support from friends and family and last but not least, to my son Billy, daughter Jennifer and wife Mary Alice for running the shop while I was away! Billy 
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Workshops 'Hope on a String' Arcahaie and St Esprit in Lascahobas Oct 24 to Oct 31, 2018 
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Haitian Workshops April 4th - 10th, 2018
Earlier this month, we visited our friends at Hope On A String in Arcahaie and St Esprit School in Lascahobas. This time my son joined me for the instrument repair workshops at both schools. It was our pleasure to teach at these two very successful institutions of learning and are quite pleased with their progress in repair skills. Check out some of the photos! Bill Cole
Earlier this month, we visited our friends at Hope On A String in Arcahaie and St Esprit School in Lascahobas. This time my son joined me for the instrument repair workshops at both schools. It was our pleasure to teach at these two very successful institutions of learning and are quite pleased with their progress in repair skills. Check out some of the photos! Bill Cole
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Workshops in Arcahaie and Lascahobas, Dec 7-10-2017
On December 7th I traveled to Haiti to teach in Arcahaie for the first time and returned to Lascahobas for the third time. First of all, the Hope On A String organization hosted me at their Music and Arts Center in Arcahaie Haiti. I had the pleasure of teaching their staff and students basic horn repairs. Joining me at the seminars were Rodney Jeanty, my translator from past workshops at the St Esprit School in Lascahobas and Mayande Pierre, one of my best apprentices from St Esprit. The participants rose to the occasion, and by the end of first day of workshops, they were successfully recorking tenons and replacing pads on woodwinds. Brass repairs included regulating trumpet valves and aligning trombone slides.
By day two, the guys dove right back into it as they developed their techniques in sax and flute repair as well as some basic soldering on brass instruments. Having accomplished allot in such a short time, we all agreed to pick up where we left off sometime in the future.
Till then, the guys will practice what they learned, keeping HOAS instruments in good playing condition.
By day two, the guys dove right back into it as they developed their techniques in sax and flute repair as well as some basic soldering on brass instruments. Having accomplished allot in such a short time, we all agreed to pick up where we left off sometime in the future.
Till then, the guys will practice what they learned, keeping HOAS instruments in good playing condition.
On Sunday HOAS drove myself, Rodney and Mayande back to St Esprit in Lascahobas to revisit the students in their music program. With most of the young men returning we took on three new apprentices. (Including my first female student)
In all, over four days of workshops we repaired and serviced 28 instruments for their school and other schools in the area as well. I think what struck me the most was how much they retained from previous workshops, and how they naturally work together, sharing their combined knowledge with the other students. I'm quite proud of my St Esprit students.
In all, over four days of workshops we repaired and serviced 28 instruments for their school and other schools in the area as well. I think what struck me the most was how much they retained from previous workshops, and how they naturally work together, sharing their combined knowledge with the other students. I'm quite proud of my St Esprit students.
St. Esprit Class of 2018
Pastor Fr. Deravil and Billy with Students
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Work Shop Participants, April 2017
November 2017
In April of 2016 I traveled to Haiti to do a two day instrumental repair seminar at the St Esprit (Holy Spirit) School in Lascahobas. To no surprise, I found the people there are people in need. But instead of finding despair and sadness, I found hope and happiness at the school and church in this mountain town. In fact, I found Haitian treasure, their youth! The six young men along with their maestro and translator were bright and engaging, making it one of the most successful workshops I've ever done.
I made a 2nd trip to Lascahobas in April 2017 to further teach the young men that did so well the previous year. I was very pleased to find them repairing horns for other schools and churches in the central region of Haiti.
On December 7th I will returning to Haiti to teach instrument repair at the "Hope On A String" Music and Arts Center in Arcahaie. Founded in 2010, after the devastating earthquake, the school has been a driving musical force in the region, bringing the community together with music and education.
After two days of workshops, the staff at HOAS will drive me and my translator to Lascahobas. There, I plan to do some advanced training with the young men at the St Esprit School.
Alone, I have not been. I've received much help from the parishioners of St John's Episcopal Church in Troy and their sister parish, Holy Spirit in Lascahobas Haiti. I've also received much support from "To Love a Child" organization and "Hope on A String Inc". I'd also like to thank the many customers and suppliers who have donated instruments and supplies. In light of their generosity, my son and I have been repairing them and sending them to the young musicians in Haiti.
If you would like to donate a usable or repairable instrument please contact us. We are not set up to take monetary donations at this time but if you'd like to send money please consider the organizations I mentioned above. They are doing tremendous things and are deserving of all the support they receive.
I'll keep you posted on the upcoming trip. God Bless, Bill
April 2017
I'm pleased to say, my return visit to Esprit School in Lascahobas April 17 to April 22 was a tremendous success! Maestro Markins and the group of young men were eager to learn additional repair techniques in woodwind and brass repair. I'm happy to report they have been repairing horns with the tools and supplies left with them last year. Not only have they been repairing their own instruments, they have started to repair horns for other nearby schools.
I trust their enthusiasm and commitment to the trade will continue to make their shop a valuable resource for the band at St. Esprit school as well as surrounding schools in and around the mountain villages in the region.
Special thanks to our awesome customers who donated horns through out the year. ALSO, Richard Fron from Waldorf School in Saratoga who donated a variety of repair supplies and tools from his personal collection. Matt McCabe at Saratoga Guitar for repairing donated violins. D'Addario Co for reeds and strings. Ferree's Band instrument tool company for a donation of saxophone pads. Music Medic for a generous supply of tools and supplies. Cindy Schmehl from "To Love A Child" for advice and guidance. Joe Karabensh from Missionary Flights International for his help in locating butane for the workshop. Also, big thanks to my son Billy who ran the shop while I was away.
In April of 2016 I traveled to Haiti to do a two day instrumental repair seminar at the St Esprit (Holy Spirit) School in Lascahobas. To no surprise, I found the people there are people in need. But instead of finding despair and sadness, I found hope and happiness at the school and church in this mountain town. In fact, I found Haitian treasure, their youth! The six young men along with their maestro and translator were bright and engaging, making it one of the most successful workshops I've ever done.
I made a 2nd trip to Lascahobas in April 2017 to further teach the young men that did so well the previous year. I was very pleased to find them repairing horns for other schools and churches in the central region of Haiti.
On December 7th I will returning to Haiti to teach instrument repair at the "Hope On A String" Music and Arts Center in Arcahaie. Founded in 2010, after the devastating earthquake, the school has been a driving musical force in the region, bringing the community together with music and education.
After two days of workshops, the staff at HOAS will drive me and my translator to Lascahobas. There, I plan to do some advanced training with the young men at the St Esprit School.
Alone, I have not been. I've received much help from the parishioners of St John's Episcopal Church in Troy and their sister parish, Holy Spirit in Lascahobas Haiti. I've also received much support from "To Love a Child" organization and "Hope on A String Inc". I'd also like to thank the many customers and suppliers who have donated instruments and supplies. In light of their generosity, my son and I have been repairing them and sending them to the young musicians in Haiti.
If you would like to donate a usable or repairable instrument please contact us. We are not set up to take monetary donations at this time but if you'd like to send money please consider the organizations I mentioned above. They are doing tremendous things and are deserving of all the support they receive.
I'll keep you posted on the upcoming trip. God Bless, Bill
April 2017
I'm pleased to say, my return visit to Esprit School in Lascahobas April 17 to April 22 was a tremendous success! Maestro Markins and the group of young men were eager to learn additional repair techniques in woodwind and brass repair. I'm happy to report they have been repairing horns with the tools and supplies left with them last year. Not only have they been repairing their own instruments, they have started to repair horns for other nearby schools.
I trust their enthusiasm and commitment to the trade will continue to make their shop a valuable resource for the band at St. Esprit school as well as surrounding schools in and around the mountain villages in the region.
Special thanks to our awesome customers who donated horns through out the year. ALSO, Richard Fron from Waldorf School in Saratoga who donated a variety of repair supplies and tools from his personal collection. Matt McCabe at Saratoga Guitar for repairing donated violins. D'Addario Co for reeds and strings. Ferree's Band instrument tool company for a donation of saxophone pads. Music Medic for a generous supply of tools and supplies. Cindy Schmehl from "To Love A Child" for advice and guidance. Joe Karabensh from Missionary Flights International for his help in locating butane for the workshop. Also, big thanks to my son Billy who ran the shop while I was away.
Inspecting horns with Maestro Markins (center) and translator Rodney
April 2016
April 2016
Florie and Mayande practicing in the school courtyard (Above)
Demonstrating clarinet repadding (Our first workshop!)
Taking turns with the sax leak light
