LaQuan Thomas' mother played drums, but it wasn't until the 10-year-old saw the movie "Drumline'' that he decided he wanted to bang the skins himself.

However, before Wednesday, there wasn't much for any of the students at Carver/Century K-8 School to bang on other than desks and a few rubber practice pads subbing for real drums.

Now, LaQuan and his classmates are ready to make some noise.

Local nonprofit group Bravo for Kids donated more than $20,000 in new musical instruments to the northern Escambia County school to help with its fledging band program.

More than a dozen fifth-grade students who will be part of John McDonald's beginning band class waded through the shiny instruments to give them a test run.

LaQuan Thomas, 10, a fifth-grader at Carver/Century K-8, checks out a tuba the school recently received.

Want to help? Cash donations and used musical instruments can be given year-round to help equip Escambia County band students. Donations can be made at Dollarhide's Music Center, 43 S. Palafox St., or at the Pensacola Junior College Music and Theatre Department on the PJC main campus. Details: 494-9898.

Some clanged the gong. Some fingered the French horn. Others did their best "Drumline'' routine on snares, while a few others tested the new xylophone.

"We'll be good with these,'' LaQuan said. "I've never been in band before. It's going to be fun.''

That's the kind of attitude the Bravo for Kids folks wanted to foster.

The group was formed in the fall of 2003 to help provide musical instruments for schools and students in need. Retired banker Denis McKinnon, Bravo for Kids' vice president, had the idea after Escambia Superintendent Jim Paul told him over dinner about the sad state of the Carver/Century K-8 School music program.

McKinnon attended Wednesday's instrument donation ceremony at the school and told the children on the receiving end of the community's goodwill that they should look for their own chances to help others in need.

"As you grow up and meet people who need help, please don't turn away,'' McKinnon said. "Take the opportunity to make a difference, and you'll create a much better world.''

Bravo for Kids raised the nearly $21,000 to purchase the instruments through donations and fund-raisers. Bill Dollarhide, Bravo for Kids' president, said the instruments were purchased at wholesale prices and would sell retail for an estimated $41,000.

School officials were elated.

"This allows us to start a band program,'' McDonald said. "We couldn't do it before. This gives the kids an opportunity to learn to play an instrument. They might not have had the chance otherwise.''

Fifth-grader Cory King, 10, loves rap and hip-hop music. But he's hoping to play a very traditional instrument.

"I like the clarinet,'' Cory said. "I like the way it sounds. And it looks nice, too.''

Besides providing new instruments for Carver/Century, Bravo for Kids also has collected used instruments that will be given to individual students facing financial hardships in Escambia County. Ninety used instruments were collected and will be given to the students based on nominations from music teachers across the county.

Next year, Bravo for Kids hopes to provide new musical instruments to two Escambia County schools. The group also will continue collecting used instruments for individual students with financial needs.