A CALL TO MUSICIANS
Keep
Music
Playing.
A child put down a broken instrument today. Nobody is coming to fix it — unless musicians make America pay attention.
15 seconds · Three names · That's the whole movement
What brings you here?
My instrument is broken.
Find someone who can fix it.
I want to learn this trade.
Real work. Paid before you finish.
I want to help however I can.
Film 15 sec. Sign the pledge.
WATCH LISA'S STORY
Why this campaign exists, in 60 seconds
If you want the full story before you film yours, start here. If you're already ready to make your video, skip ahead.
HOW TO JOIN
Four steps. Sixty seconds. Done.
If you have an instrument within reach and a phone in your hand, you can be part of this before you close this tab.
1
Pick up an instrument.
Yours. Your child's. The one in the closet. Even one that's broken — especially one that's broken.
2
Film 15 seconds.
Phone, vertical, one take. No script approval. No edits. Just you, the instrument, and one sentence.
3
Tag three musicians.
Say their names on camera. Public nominations are the engine of this entire movement.
4
Post it.
TikTok, Reels, or YouTube Shorts. Use #KeepMusicPlaying and tag @WorkingMusiciansAcademy.
The 15-second version here is what we're asking you to make.
15 seconds · Three names · That's the whole movement
SAY THIS
Here's what Lisa said. Now you say yours.
Read this out loud once. You'll hear the rhythm. Then swap in your own instrument, your own story, your own three names.
LISA'S 15-SECOND SCRIPT
“This is my clarinet. It's the reason I had a life in music. Right now, somewhere in America, a kid put down a broken one — and nobody fixed it. I'm keeping music playing. So is Bruce Marking. So is Danny Creed. So is Faith Hill in England. Your turn.”
// The gold words are the parts you swap. Everything else stays the same.
NOW MAKE IT YOURS
YOUR 15-SECOND SCRIPT
“This is my [instrument]. It's the reason I [one true thing music gave you]. Right now, somewhere in America, a kid put down a broken one — and nobody fixed it. I'm keeping music playing. So is [name 1]. So is [name 2]. So is [name 3]. Your turn.”
// Approximately 50 words. About 15 seconds at a natural pace. One take is enough.
15
seconds
3
names you tag
1
take is enough
HOW TO JOIN
The hashtag and tag –
don't skip these.
Every video without these is a video the movement loses. Two seconds to add them.
THE HASHTAG
#KeepMusicPlaying
Use this exactly. One word. No spaces. This is how every video joins the same movement.
THE TAG
@WorkingMusiciansAcademy
So we can repost you. Every tagged video gets shared from the official account.
POST TO ANY · IDEALLY ALL
TikTok · Instagram Reels · YouTube Shorts · Facebook
WHY IT MATTERS
When a child's instrument breaks, who fixes it?
Right now, in most communities across America — nobody. The repair shop is forty-five minutes away, if there is one. The wait is three weeks. So the kid stops coming to band. Another musician we'll never get back.
The system is not coming to fix this. The states won't. The manufacturers won't. Working Musicians Academy is training the technicians who will. Your video is what makes America notice.
40 of 41
music businesses at NAMM cannot find a repair technician
20% fewer
school band and orchestra instruments sold than before COVID.
(The Music Trades, 2025 Census)
259
working musicians already trained, ages 16–70, all 50 states
“
Music often serves as the sole bridge connecting individuals across seemingly insurmountable divides. The repair academy is how we protect that bridge — one certified technician at a time, one community at a time.
Lisa Canning, Founder
Clarinet: Northwestern, Interlochen, Buffalo Philharmonic
The Founding Wall
These musicians already picked up an instrument and passed the mic. They’re the first voices of the movement. Add yours.
Chris Jones • Clarinet
Bruce Marking • Clarinet
Robert Kildow • Clarinet
Jonathan Copeland • Clarinet
Zak West • Clarinet
Wes Miller • Saxophone
Anca Jordan - Clarinet
Emily - Flute
Lindsey - Keyboard
Peter Ji - Clarinet
Joe Guthridge - Clarinet
Tim Wilkerson - Clarinet
Jenifer Swanson - Flute
Jake A. Csirke Juliano - Clarinet
Ed Riley - Clarinet
Faith Hill, England • Flute
Duke Smith • Saxophone