April 1, 2005 – On February 28, 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 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.

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