Donate Used Instruments For Needy Students At CMA Music Festival

Posted by Webb on 05/15/2009
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You can be instrumental in the life of a child and donate your long-forgotten, gently-used band instruments to a deserving Metro music program during CMA Music Festival. The Nashville Alliance for Public Education will be collecting instruments in the free Dr Pepper®-McDonalds® Family Zone in the Hall of Fame Park during the Festival, Thursday through Sunday, June 11-14.
"We need your help to 'Keep the Music Playing,'" said Steve Moore, Senior Vice President of AEG Live! and President of CMA's volunteer Board of Directors. "Musical instruments that have been abandoned and locked away in attics, closets, basements, under beds, and in cabinets need to get into the hands of the kids who need them. Let them play again."
The instruments will supplement the thousands of new instruments already purchased by CMA with funds from CMA Music Festival. To date, CMA had donated more than $2 million to support music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools on behalf of the artists who perform at the Festival for free through a partnership with the Nashville Alliance known as "Keep the Music Playing."
"As artists we donate our time to the CMA Music Festival so that we're able to give back," said Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, who is vice chair of CMA's Artist Relations Committee. "Music Education was very important in my life, and because of that, I'm able to do what I do today."
Thursday, June 11 (2:00-3:00 PM) Valory Music artist Jimmy Wayne will be on hand to help the volunteer Metro Schools band directors and music students collect instruments.
"I have always believed in the power of music," said Country star Wayne. "I got hooked as a teenager when I bought my first guitar at a yard sale, and I'm still hooked on music. That guitar helped me make a career for myself, and I want all children who love music to have the opportunity to learn to play an instrument."
The research-based evidence shows that a greater emphasis on the visual and performing arts in education is important for boosting academic performance and engaging students in the learning environment. Plus, more than 95 percent of our students who play in their school band graduate.
"Unfortunately, with a tight budget, these programs often go unfunded," Moore said. "That's why this drive with the Nashville Alliance is so critical for our schools."
As an added incentive, McDonald's is offering a coupon for a free Extra Value Meal for the first 500 donations received in the Family Zone. The Alliance will also provide forms so donors can receive tax credit for their donation. Only band instruments in good working condition will be accepted. No guitars, please.
"We're glad to be able to help the CMA with this program," said Ted Bertuca Jr., a local McDonald's owner. "Music is an important part of our public education and we applaud those who donate used instruments for these students."
"Once again, CMA has come to the rescue of music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools," said Pam Garrett, Executive Director of the Alliance. "The 'Be Instrumental' Program offers the whole community a chance to be involved with building music education in Nashville.  The CMA and artists have given generously of their time, talent and resources to provide new instruments in our schools. Now they have given us all an opportunity to participate by bringing our gently-used band instruments to the Dr. Pepper-McDonald's Family Zone. These donations will mean so much to our music students and add to our growing numbers of new instruments being placed in our schools each year."