About
About the Project
Founded by Aidan Fisher and now directed by Ethan Ng, The Noteworthy Project is a student-led community initiative serving New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Its two programs, Second Life and Mini Maestros, expand access to musical instruments and live performances. Students coordinate outreach, instrument placements, and performances, with adults supporting transportation and supervision.
A Message From Our Director
I have never had a bad day that a piano couldn't make better.
I have played piano since I was young, starting with classical music and later playing whatever I enjoyed.
Over time, it became more than practice. When a day has been hard, the piano is where I go. It helps me set my worries aside for a while.
I grew up with a piano at home and someone to teach me. That was luck, and I don't think luck should decide which kids get to play.
Music itself is free. It's the instrument that costs money. That is a solvable problem, and solving it is most of what we do.
The other half of our work is playing for people who can't get out to hear music anymore. If music can improve someone else's afternoon the way it improves mine, that is worth a Sunday.
The first time you play for people outside your family, you learn that your practice matters to others, too. That is what I want other students to take from this, even more than the service hours. We spend years receiving lessons and support. At some point, we have enough to give some back.
Music is the simplest gift I know. It doesn't have to cost anything. It just has to reach people.
Ethan Ng · Director · First Chair
Mission
We make music more accessible by placing donated instruments with students and community organizations and by bringing live student performances to senior communities.
A Cycle of Giving
When an instrument is given a second life, it does more than open the door to music for one student. Our hope is that the students who receive these instruments will go on to share their music with others: performing for their neighbors, encouraging younger players, and one day passing an instrument on themselves.
Each gift inspires the next, and every performance invites another act of generosity. In this way, a single donation can set in motion a cycle of goodwill that grows with every musician it reaches.
History
Aidan Fisher founded the project while he was an undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire. The project has served the region since 2021.
The original website, noteworthy.rocks, now redirects here.
Programs
Second Life places donated instruments with students and community organizations. Mini Maestros, founded by Ethan Ng, brings student musicians to nursing homes, memory care communities, and senior residences for live performances.
Transportation
Volunteers deliver instruments that fit in a car and set them up in the recipient's home. Pianos, organs, harps, and double basses are moved only by insured professional movers. We seek a donated move or a sponsor who pays the mover directly, and we will tell the recipient if a move cannot be arranged. Professional movers who would like to donate a move can contact us.
Service Area
We serve New Hampshire and Massachusetts, including the Seacoast, Manchester and Nashua, Concord and the Lakes Region, the Merrimack Valley, the North Shore, Greater Boston, MetroWest, and Central Massachusetts.
Financial Information
The Noteworthy Project accepts instruments and volunteer time but does not accept money. It is not a registered charity and cannot provide tax receipts. Recipients are not charged for instruments or delivery.
Play it forward.
Instruments where they’re needed.
Music where it’s missed.