Collecting used strings to donate to musicians in need around the world
Mission
To make sure all musicians around the world have useable strings. Why?
Professional string players regularly replace their strings while they are still playable. Why? Because even slight wear can affect performance quality. So what happens to these used strings that still have lots to give? They pile up at the back of a cupboard, or are thrown away.
At the same time, many string players around the world don’t have money to buy strings. What do they do? They play on very old and damaged strings, they make their own strings, or they stop playing.
Our plan? To ask the professionals to give us their used strings. And donate them to those around the world who need them!
Young musicians receiving strings in music schools in Caracas, Venezuela, September 2024
Wondering who receives strings? Click here
to see some inspired and happy recipients
Young music students in Lima, Peru, receiving strings from Pennsylvania State University School of Music Strings Department in May 2024
Want to donate strings?
Visit our donating page to find out how you can donate your used strings.
Since Strings4All began in 2021, we have collected and donated over 15,000 strings
Strings4All boxes - help deliver them to your local music organisations
A Strings4All box. Our aim is to have one of these in every major music organisation in the world, so that musicians always have the chance to give away their used strings. Help us make this a reality by asking your local musical institutions if they would agree for us to send them a box.
Strings4All boxes are the easiest way for people to donate their used strings.
They can sit backstage at concert halls, in the canteens of conservatoires, in music shop entrances or in studio halls. That way, local string players always have a place they can put their used strings - and musical organisations can send us all of the strings once their boxes start to fill up. Easy!
Help us achieve our goal of ensuring that every major music organisation in the world has a Strings4All box.
Contact us if you think your local orchestras, concert halls, music shops, studios or conservatoires would agree to house a Strings4All box. We can be in touch with them directly about this once you’ve given us a contact there.
19 volunteer coordinators collect and distribute strings.
Join this team of dedicated people and help make Strings4All happen.
Support Strings4All financially
Consider donating to Strings4All so that we can continue to run this project and reach our aim of making sure all musicians in this world have useable strings.
In the first Strings4All collection (1 Jan - 15 Feb 2021) we received an incredible 5,000 strings! They went to musicians in need in Colombia and Venezuela.
Wondering what things cost?
40 CHF - the average cost of making a Strings4All box and sending it to an organisation
200 CHF - the average cost of sending a package of 200 strings to a destination country (e.g. Zurich to Peru).
700 CHF - our current average monthly operational costs. Unfortunately we can’t ask everyone to be volunteers. Our staff coordinate and promote the Strings4All project, are in close contact with musical organisations and volunteers, and track where strings are being collected, sent and distributed.
In the 2025/2026 season, Strings4All aims to support 1,600 musicians in music schools, youth orchestras & professional ensembles.
Musicians’ Testimonials
"I'm very grateful for the strings you sent me. Thank you to everyone who works at Strings4All and to all the musicians who donate from Europe for thinking of us, for helping me continue playing the violin, and for supporting me on my musical journey."
Saireli, 13 years old, violinist from Venezuela
"Hello, my name is Isaías, and I have been playing cello at the Cakike Foundation for three years. I would like to thank Strings4All from the bottom of my heart for the string donation. One of the hardest things for me about playing the cello is the position of my left hand, because sometimes it hurt and the notes didn't sound good. But with the new strings, I feel much more comfortable and can now play with much more ease. Thank you so much for helping me and making my cello playing experience much better. Thank you, Strings4All."
Isaías, 16 years old, cellist from Colombia
"First of all, I want to deeply thank Erika and the Harmonic Progression organisation for their support through the Strings4All programme. I have received strings on two occasions, and especially the first time was crucial for me. I had needed that string change for a long time, as the ones I had were very worn out and seriously affected the sound of my viola. Thanks to the donation, I was able to improve the quality of my performance, progress in my lessons, and feel more motivated to continue growing as a musician. The second time I received strings was at a very important moment: I had individual commitments, such as concerts as a soloist and performances with the orchestra. Having an instrument in good condition was key to giving my best. These donations have been a blessing for me and for many young musicians in Venezuela. A thousand thanks!"
Víctor, 21 years old, violist from Venezuela