Printer Friendly Format Email a Friend


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 073-05
February 28, 2005

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, VH1 AND TIME WARNER CABLE ANNNOUCE DONATION OF OVER $1 MILLION FOR MUSIC EDUCATION IN NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Return of VH1’s Annual “Save The Music” Benefit Concert to City Also Announced

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, VH1 President and VH1 Save The Music Foundation Chairman Christina Norman, and Time Warner Cable of New York and New Jersey Senior Vice President & General Manager Barbara Kelly today announced the donation of over $1 million worth of new musical instruments to the New York City public school system.  The donation, made by the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, furthers the Foundation’s mission to emphasize the importance of instrumental music as an integral part of a child’s education.  Since its inception eight years ago, the Foundation has restored instrumental music programs in 166 city public schools, providing nearly $3.5 million worth of new musical instruments. Schools  Chancellor Joel I. Klein, NYC Big Events President Maureen J. Reidy, recording artist Rob Thomas, and a student band made up of musicians from PS 207, PS 222 and IS 278 attended the announcement at PS 57 in Harlem.

The Mayor and VH1 also announced that thanks to the efforts of NYC Big Events, the “Save The Music: A Concert To Benefit The VH1 Save The Music Foundation” will be returning to New York City for the first time in four years.  The star-studded concert, with performances by Rob Thomas, Queen Latifah, John Legend, Bon Jovi and Joss Stone, among others, will take place at the famed Beacon Theatre on April 11th.  The concert will cap off the “VH1 Save The Music Week” from April 4th through April 11th, and will be broadcast on VH1 on Sunday, April 17th.

“Music education is an important part of growing up – it teaches discipline, creativity, and an appreciation for the arts,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “That’s why, for the first time, our Administration has established a comprehensive citywide arts curriculum in kindergarten through 12th grade.  One of our biggest partners in music education has been VH1.  Through its Save The Music Foundation, the network has donated almost $3.5 million worth of instruments to our public schools, and today, I’m happy to announce that VH1 is making a donation of more than $1 million worth of new musical instruments that will launch 41 new music programs in the New York City public schools during 2005.”

Each year, the benefit concert raises funds for the non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music programs in America’s public schools, and to raising awareness of the positive impact that music participation has on students.  Studies show that students involved in music programs are better at languages and score higher on standardized math and reading tests.  Since VH1 Save the Music was created in 1997, nearly $30 million worth of musical instruments has been donated to 1,200 public schools in 80 cities, improving the lives of more than 500,000 children.  In New York City, this year’s musical instruments were delivered to the grant recipient schools by Soundtree, Manny’s Music, Sam Ash Music and Rayburn Musical Instruments.

“VH1 Save The Music Foundation is truly excited to partner with the City of New York to creatively highlight the importance of music education and celebrate the positive benefits that it can bring to children, public schools and New York,” said VH1’s Christina Norman.  “We’re honored to bring the show back to New York City, the birthplace of VH1 Save The Music.  Since its inception in 1997, the Foundation has brought music education to more than a half a million children, but the need to restore music education programs still exists.  The concert, and the entire VH1 Save The Music Week, will generate awareness about that need nationwide.”

“We are so thrilled that VH1 is bringing its most important televised event back to the world’s greatest stage: New York City,” said NYC Big Events President Reidy. “We are looking forward to collaborating with Christina Norman and her team on the ‘Save the Music Week’ celebrations, which are certain to provide a fun and memorable experience for New Yorkers and visitors alike.”

“An education in the arts is crucial to the development of our City’s school children,” said Chancellor Klein.  “Engaging students’ interests and promoting self-expression are vital to developing our students to their full potential.  We greatly appreciate the ongoing support of VH1 Save The Music and local partners such as Time Warner Cable in ensuring that the children in New York City community receive all of the benefits that an arts education provides.”  

“Time Warner Cable of New York and New Jersey was the first to partner with Save the Music and pilot this campaign in New York City, and we’ve been amazed with its results,” said Time Warner Cable’s Barbara Kelly.  “We’re proud that Save the Music has become a successful national campaign and we will continue to support VH1 Save the Music Foundation to ensure that music programs flourish in our public schools.  We are committed to providing our resources to give students as many advantages as possible for future success.”

New York City Proclaims April 4th through 11th as “VH1 Save The Music Week”

“VH1 Save The Music Week” in NYC will precede the taping of “Save The Music: A Concert To Benefit The VH1 Save The Music Foundation” and will include a special interactive “Family Day” in conjunction with the American Museum of Natural History in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life.  Below is a list of festivities:

  • Monday, April 4th - Friday, April 8th: VH1 Save The Music Master Classes will be held each day throughout the week at a selected public school in each of the five boroughs, showcasing the various aspects of music.  Each interactive master class will allow students to learn from the music industry’s most prestigious performers.
  • Sunday, April 10th:  VH1 Save The Music presents “Family Day” in conjunction with the American Museum of Natural History in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life (www.amnh.org).  Students and their families will enjoy performances from critically-acclaimed singer and pianist Peter Cincotti, as well as the Marine Park Band, featuring students from PS 222, PS 207 and Marine Park Middle School.  Cincotti will perform several tracks from his album, “On The Moon” as well as his self-titled debut CD.  Peter will also accompany Marine Park Middle School during their performance, and an instrument “petting zoo” will give children a hands-on experience with a variety of musical instruments.
  • In addition, VH1 Save The Music will partner throughout the week with prominent New York City establishments to raise funds for the Foundation.  Every dollar raised in New York City will be used solely to restore music education in the City’s public school system.  For example, The John Varvatos’ store in Soho will donate 15% from each purchase made that week.
NYC Big Events, Inc. is the City’s official organization dedicated to attracting high-profile events, creating new ones and working with existing major New York City events.  NYC Big Events’ most recent successes include the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, the 2004 Republican National Convention, and the upcoming 2005 Country Music Association Awards.






MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Jennifer Falk   (212) 788-2958



GENERAL CONTACT:

Kelly Devers   (Department of Education)
(212) 374-5141

Laura Nelson (VH1)   (917) 903-9850

Maureen Murray (Big Events)   (212) 788-7577


More Resources
Watch the Video in 56k or 300K