© Tommy Armstrong 2025
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — A Syracuse nonprofit is using proceeds from a summer festival series to provide instruments for future musicians.
Mark DiGiorgio, founder of 727 Instrumental, organizes events in Clinton Square to raise money for brand-new instruments that students in need get to keep.
“The big thing is ownership. I think it changes the mindset of the musician — it’s theirs,” DiGiorgio said.
The organization caters to the wants and needs of Syracuse City School District students.
“We provide students with an instrument of their choice. Doesn’t matter whether it’s drums, guitar, keyboard, saxophone, violin – pretty much the full run of the gamut,” DiGiorgio said.
So far, two students in the district have received a saxophone and a viola. For DiGiorgio, this is just the beginning.
The Syracuse City School District has identified up to 80 students involved in music for the upcoming year, and 727 Instrumental hopes to provide an instrument for each of them.
To learn more about the organization or how to get involved, visit 727instrumental.org.
AUDIO TRANSCRIPT
Tommy Armstrong: A Syracuse nonprofit is providing brand-new instruments for students in need. Mark DiGiorgio, founder of 727 Instrumental, organizes events in Clinton Square to generate funds.
Mark DiGiorgio: We have great entertainment, we have food trucks, we have craft vendors that are on site. And it’s always a good time.
Tommy Armstrong: The organization caters to the wants and needs of Syracuse City School District students.
Mark DiGiorgio: We provide students with an instrument of their choice. Doesn’t matter whether it’s drums, guitar, keyboard, saxophone, violin, pretty much the full run of the gamut.
Tommy Armstrong: So far, two students have received a saxophone and a viola. For DiGiorgio, that’s just the start. The organization hopes to provide up to 80 instruments for the Syracuse City School District this upcoming school year. Tommy Armstrong, NCC News.