Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May. 14, 2009
BE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD! DONATE GENTLY USED BAND INSTRUMENTS DURING CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Instruments Collected by the Nashville Alliance for Public Education June 11-14 in the Dr Pepper-McDonald’s Family Zone in the Hall of Fame Park
NASHVILLE - 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."
Single tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts are on sale for $40 for reserved seats on the lower and club levels, and $30 for general admission in the upper deck of LP Field (plus applicable handling fees).
Four-day ticket packages for 2009 CMA Music Festival are also available. The four-day ticket package includes the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field; exclusive access to the Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall in the Nashville Convention Center; early admittance to Riverfront Park for the Daytime Stage concerts; exclusive access to the Photo Lines at LP Field and Riverfront Park; exclusive access to the event shuttle between venues; admission to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts (June 8-15); and a registration bag, with collectible pin and 2009 souvenir program book.
This is all in addition to the free areas, which include: the Daytime Stage at Riverfront Park; Dr Pepper-McDonald's Family Zone in Hilton Park; Sommet Center Plaza Stage; Sports Zone; Fun Zone; Music City Zone in the Public Square; the Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade; and the Fourth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party.
To order single tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts or four-day ticket packages, call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visit www.CMAfest.com to download an order form to fax or mail; or visit www.ticketmaster.com to buy online or charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable.
For up-to-the-minute information about CMA Music Festival tickets, travel information, schedules, artist appearances, and more, visit www.CMAfest.com.
About the Nashville Alliance for Public Education
The Nashville Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to securing private resources to help improve Metro Nashville Public Schools. Since its inception, the organization has raised more than $20 million to advance student success in key academic areas such as reading, language arts, music, math, science, and teacher training.
CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. CMA Board member Tony Conway is the Executive Producer of CMA Music Festival. Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio broadcaster. Partners include: Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music; CMT; Dr Pepper®; Durango®; Greased Lighting®; Great American Country (GAC); McDonald's®; VAULT Citrus Soda; and Wrangler®: The Exclusive Jean of the CMA Music Festival. CMA Music Festival® and Fan Fair® are registered trademarks of CMA.
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