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[lm8]

Freepats is an Open Source project that is trying to put together instrument samples for creation of music.  They could use help/volunteers to obtain more open licensed instrument samples and to get samples into sf2 (soundfont) files and other formats.  You can find more information at:
http://freepats.opensrc.org/
Also, check out the mailing list at that site.

You can use instrument samples with Open Source programs like Timidity++ to create your own music.  By making instrument samples with open licensing freely available, people wanting to generate or create their own music can do so without having to worry about issues like copyright infringement when it comes to creating the sounds for original or public domain music.

Please pass the word on to others about this project as well.

[inf1ni]

That seems like a pretty neat project. I don't have the resources to be of much help, but I can try to spread the word a bit.

Are there any projects in existence so far that utilize these sounds? If so I'd like to have a go playing with it.

[lm8]

Timidity++ can make use of the gus pats and sf2 files at the Freepats site.  You can use Timidity++ to play back midi files (or mod files).  You can also make your own midi files using abc notation (short tutorial here:  http://www.distasis.com/recipes/music.htm ).  For Windows users, check out http://ocmnet.com/saxguru/Timidity.htm  There's a configure utility to help you set up the soundfonts in the configuration file for Timidity.  For users on other platforms or for anyone wanting the latest copy of Timidity++, check Sourceforge.  The project is being updated in cvs with a lot of nice additions, even though the tarball on the download page has not been updated recently.  Windows users can also use sf2 files with xmplay.  I know there are some other programs that make use of instrument sample files, but these are the two I've worked with.