Jerry Hesselink founded Henry For Music Inc. in 2015 with a vision to provide children with access to musical instruments and quality music education.

“He had a dream that music should be accessible to every child. So, he started collecting instruments to give to students at zero cost, and that was the foundation of Henry For Music,” said Kevina Love Franklin, president/CEO and teaching artist for Henry For Music.

Ten years later, Hesselink’s vision has more than come to life and continues to flourish.

Through generous donations, Henry For Music collects used instruments, restores them with the help of community partners, and gifts them to students with the greatest need and interest.

“All we ask is that students find joy in their instrument and their music education journey,” said Franklin.

Over the years, Henry For Music has provided more than 500 instruments to students, allowing them to participate in band and orchestra programs—opportunities they might not have had otherwise.

In addition to providing instruments to children, the organization also provides instruction to the students each week with their teaching staff and volunteers, working to prepare the children for two concerts a year and host a summer camp.

“We strive to offer and create performance opportunities for all of our students, and not just opportunities for them to perform as soloists or ensembles, but also to collaborate with professional artists as well,” said Franklin.

Henry For Music values professional partnerships in the music industry to provide the students additional mentorship and to be exposed to musical opportunities on a larger scale.

 “One of our partners is a music producer who is volunteering with Henry For Music to help students explore music production and create a recorded song,” Franklin explained. “We’re also bringing in a songwriter to guide students in composing original music from the ground up.”

The organization also hosts after school enrichment programs in three Henry County Schools – Cotton Indian Elementary School, Fairview Elementary School, and Red Oak Elementary School. Students learn to play instruments at their respective schools before coming together as a cohort to perform as one unified ensemble.

Additionally, the organization runs the Youth Orchestra United program for K-12 students, using a teacher exchange model to share music education between the after-school enrichment program and the broader Youth Orchestra United initiative.

Franklin states that Henry For Music empowers the children to become leaders in their band classrooms and grow in their confidence both as musicians and as young adults.

“We position our students to have a growth mindset and a focused mindset,” said Franklin. “We are intentionally building their self-esteem, their self-confidence, so that they can become leaders in their community.”

As Henry For Music enters its next decade, the organization is committed to evolving and expanding professional development opportunities for its students.

“Our long-term goal is for our students to return to us—as mentors, educators, and professionals,” Franklin said. “We want them to make an impact on the world and say, ‘My foundation was with Henry For Music.’”

Henry for Music Inc. was recognized as Nonprofit of the Year in 2023 by the Henry County Chamber of Commerce and this year the organization received a Stockbridge Honors award.

By Erin Lopez