In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Oregon musician and piano tuner Peter Spring awoke one morning determined to help the overwhelmed people of New Orleans cope with their devastating loss and grief. Having lost his 22-year old son Steven to cancer in 2002, Peter understood first-hand the power of music to heal even the deepest wounds. In September 2005, he established The Steven Spring Foundation to honor his son's memory and love for music by collecting and distributing instruments to hurricane survivors.

    Since its founding, The Steven Spring Foundation has put hundreds of donated instruments into the hands of New Orleans musicians, music students, and children. By doing so, The SSF has brought the healing power of music to the people who need it most: to working musicians who became productive again through the donated instruments that they received, to dedicated amateur players grateful to be able to express and release the deep, powerful feelings raised by the storm and its aftermath, and to all the fortunate listeners who reap the emotional benefits that only Music can provide.

    SSF President Peter Spring has been interviewed on National Public Radio's Weekend Edition about the history and success of the SSF instrument give-away program. You can hear his compelling story "Fixing the Pianos of New Orleans" here.

    For more information about the moving and inspiring story of Peter Spring and The Steven Spring Foundation, please read the Times-Picayune article "Healed By Harmony" which also includes a slideshow.