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Billabong Celebration Event

Thursday, 10 November 2011
CA, Los Angeles

Billabong Celebration Event

Rosa Parks Learning Center, Los Angeles, CA
November 10, 2011
 
On Thursday, November 10th, 2011 the VH1 Save The Music Foundation  hosted an appreciation event to recognize Billabong’s generous donation from their annual “Design For Humanity” event.  The event raised $145,000, and counting, to support the Foundation’s mission of restoring instrumental music programs in our nation’s public schools.  Additional proceeds from designated products sold in Billabong stores nationwide this December, will also benefit the cause. To thank Billabong, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation presented a special celebration event at grant recipient school, Rosa Parks Learning Center in North Hills, California, to show supporters the direct benefits of providing children with equal access to a complete education that includes music. The 5th grade orchestra students showcased their talents and invited representatives from Los Angeles Unified School District and Billabong to participate in the event’s demonstration lesson.
 
“Design For Humanity” was previously held on June 15th, located in the heart of the legendary Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, with a headline performance by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. The event was designed to celebrate music, share stories of its positive impact and donate to a worthy cause. All of the proceeds from the ticket sales and additional fundraising initiatives from the evening went towards the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, in support of music education programs in public schools.

 

 
 
 

Success Story of the Month: Teacher Spotlight - September 2011

Neal Middle School: Durham, North Carolina

2011 VH1 Save The Music Foundation Grant Recipient 

Music Teacher, Kenneth Joyner shares how he started his music career at Neal Middle School and now is going back to his alma mater as a band director…

 
I grew up a very shy young man and mostly kept to myself. My parents encouraged me to try different activities like football and boy scouts in hopes to bring me out of my shell. I remember watching an episode of The Simpsons where Lisa Simpson met a saxophonist named “Bleeding Gums Murphy”. The scene of the two characters playing a beautiful and sorrowful duet filled me we awe and excitement. My mother, a grade school trumpeter and violist, suggested that I join band when I started the sixth grade at Neal Middle School. From that day, becoming a saxophonist was my primary objective while in middle school. 
 
Sure enough, band at Neal Middle School became the highlight of my day. I started my musical studies on clarinet, playing at all hours of the day. My first band director, Ms. Patricia, wrote “Very good tone” on my report card, further fueling my zeal for music. I reached my goal in the seventh grade, earning the right to play the tenor saxophone in band. 
 
High school helped me in improving my social skills. I became a section leader for the marching band and brought an overwhelming amount of enthusiasm to the position.   Band is one of the only places where I could let loose without feeling self conscious. While this energy received perplexed looks from some, it helped to galvanize my section to work harder.
 
My community was a constant source of support. My Uncle Trevor, an accomplished jazz bassist, worked with my grandparents in getting me two tenor saxophones to further my musical studies. Influenced by high school band and math teachers, Javanti Rogers and John Greene, I decided to pursue music education. My father and many of my fellow church members were pleased to learn I was following in their footsteps to become a North Carolina Central University student. After several amazing years, I marched with the NCCU Marching Sound Machine for the last time during the Tournament of Roses Parade with everyone at home watching!
 
Music education has given me some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I know I cannot take for granted the love and encouragement my community gave me. As band director of Neal Middle, I now have an opportunity to bestow the same passion and love for music that was instilled in me long ago. It is now my turn to uplift my community and I couldn’t be happier. 
 
 
 
*Neal Middle School discontinued its band program in 2010 due to financial constriction. Thanks to VH1 Save The Music Foundation grant, Neal Middle School resurrected the band program and Mr. Joyner was hired as a full time band teacher
 

Success Story of the Month - July 2011

San Fernando Elementary School: Los Angeles, CA

Music Teacher, Linda Mouradian’s reflects on building an instrumental music program with the help of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation…

San Fernando Elementary School is nestled in a small neighborhood in the northeast San Fernando Valley, California. It is one of more than 500 Los Angeles Unified School District’s elementary schools. I have been an instrumental music teacher at San Fernando for the past 19 years. In the late 1990’s, San Fernando Elementary was 1 of 3 schools chosen to participate in “Mind Institute”. It was a music, math, computer research model designed to measure spatial temporal skills. VH1 Save the Music Foundation provided a keyboard lab to all 2nd grade students participating in the project. Without their support, the school would not have been able to participate. The administration and staff have continued to embrace music and all art forms. They regard music and the arts as an integral part of each student’s curriculum.

 

 

Each year, approximately 90, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students participate in a rigorous, sequential, standards based instrumental music program. Building on the original grant provided by the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and some instruments provided by the school district, San Fernando budgeted to purchase more instruments so that many students can have the opportunity to participate in the program. When students realize they have been chosen to participate, the light in their eyes could illuminate Los Angeles. When asked about the importance of music in their lives, my students have clear and insightful thoughts. I posed the question” What did playing in an orchestra teach you about life”? Leonardo said, “Practice definitely makes perfect and it helps me study the same way I practice”. Itzel said, “Working as a team makes you successful”. Amy realized that “Leaning to play an instrument has taught me to be exact”. When asked “How would you feel if you never had the opportunity to play an instrument?” the students gave very reflective responses. Itzel said, “I would be upset and disappointed. Music brings your feelings out and it helps you express your emotions.” Leonardo, in true style, responded, “I would be sad because music has become my passion. It always helps me relax.” 

San Fernando music students take pride in their accomplishments. Playing in the year end performance is an opportunity to share their abilities and talents. These opportunities are crucial to building self esteem and self worth. We were honored to have Ms. Jaclyn Shea, Program Manager of VH1 Save the Music Foundation attend our 2011 performance. The students felt so important when she arrived. That is a feeling that cannot be purchased. VH1 Save The Music Foundation has been a major contributor to San Fernando’s successful instrumental music program. I can speak for the entire staff and student body in saying that our gratitude cannot be measured. 
 

With the sincerest appreciation for all your support,
 

Linda Mouradian
Los Angeles Unified School District Elementary Instrumental Music Chair
 

 

 

Success Story of the Month - May 2011

Jenny Lind Elementary School: Minneapolis, MN

 Jenny Lind Elementary School is a public school in the Minneapolis Public School District in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We were the honored recipient of a VH1 Save The Music Foundation grant in the Fall of 2009. This wonderful program gave us 36 quality string instruments for our students to use. 
 
 
School principal, Aura Wharton Beck has the vision for all students in first through fourth grade to play a string instrument. During the first year of having our new instruments, I taught group violin lessons to all first graders. This school year we now have all the first and second graders taking violin lessons! Jenny Lind Elementary is an 87% free and reduced lunch school. We feel our students deserve to learn to play an instrument but realize that renting one from a store is not an option. Having the VH1 Save The Music grant is an incredible gift to our students and our community because it gives our students beautiful sounding instruments that will help them be successful string players.   
 
On February 17, 2011, we had our first grade “Take Your Instrument Home Concert.” Eighty-one first graders performed with hundreds of family and friends in the audience! It was wonderful. The students were so proud of themselves and many adults had tears in their eyes, including our principal and myself. The students take great pride and ownership in taking an instrument home to practice. We have a slogan at Jenny Lind Elementary, “Practice is Home Work.” Whether they are practicing their violin or their math, they are practicing for life.    
 
 
Music Teacher, Stacy Aldrich
 
 

Cars.com Fuels Confidence in Kids with Launch of 'Cars Cares' During Super Bowl XLVI

Fri, 01/27/2012

Cars.com Fuels Confidence in Kids with Launch of 'Cars Cares' During Super Bowl XLVI
 

CHICAGO, Jan. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Cars.com, the premier online resource for buying and selling new and used vehicles, announced today that it will be giving the massive audience of Super Bowl XLVI the power to make a big difference in the lives of kids and young adults through its "Cars Cares" campaign. During the game, when the Cars.com commercial airs, viewers who use the popular Shazam App to tag the ad will earn $1.00 for one of seven charities in contention for a maximum $100,000 donation from the site.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53915-cars-com-super-bowl-xlvi-cars-cares-cam...
 

"As we head back to the big game for the fifth year, we wanted to do more as an organization to contribute to our community and drive our mission of confidence," said Mitch Golub, president of Cars.com. "We are launching Cars Cares as a way to give back, and fuel initiatives that matter to our brand, employees, site users and advertising partners - including dealers and automotive manufacturers."

The maximum $100,000 donation will be given to the charity which receives the most votes on the Cars.com Facebook page between January 26 and February 13. Eligible organizations were selected for the work they do to drive confidence in kids. "Each organization has a unique focus on educating youth and providing programs and services that drive self-esteem, positive decision making and healthy behaviors," said Golub. "It was important to us to identify organizations whose culture and values match our own and to give our community a voice in deciding which organization should be the recipient of our first Cars Cares donation."

 

“VH1 DIVAS CELEBRATES SOUL” INCLUDES SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO AMY WINEHOUSE WITH PERFORMANCES BY SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS, FLORENCE WELCH AND WANDA JACKSON

Thu, 12/15/2011

“VH1 DIVAS CELEBRATES SOUL” INCLUDES SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO AMY WINEHOUSE WITH PERFORMANCES BY SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS, FLORENCE WELCH AND WANDA JACKSON

“VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul” Pays Tribute to the Great Cities of Soul Music Including Chicago, Detroit, London, Memphis and Philadelphia

Special will air Monday, December 19 at 9 PM/8c on VH1

To Tweet This Release: http://on.vh1.com/divaspr4

NEW YORK – December 15, 2011 – VH1’s beloved, popular franchise, “VH1 Divas,” has announced a special tribute to Amy Winehouse at this year’s “VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul” with performances by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine) and Wanda Jackson. “VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul” premieres Monday, December 19 at 9 PM/8c on VH1.

The tribute will reflect Winehouse’s contribution to modern, London soul music. Some highlights of the tribute will include Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings performing “You Know I’m No Good,” and Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine) and Wanda Jackson will perform her song “Back to Black.” The Dap-Kings contributed a number of tracks for Winehouse’s Grammy Award-winning album “Back to Black.” In addition, Nas, who collaborated with Winehouse on the first single of her current posthumous album, will introduce the tribute medley.

 

“VH1 DIVAS CELEBRATES SOUL” ADDS ANITA BAKER, MAVIS STAPLES, WANDA JACKSON AND LEDISI AS PERFORMERS AND DOLLY PARTON, QUEEN LATIFAH, TERRENCE HOWARD, NAS, COMMON AND LA LA ANTHONY AS PRESENTERS

Thu, 12/08/2011

 “VH1 DIVAS CELEBRATES SOUL” ADDS ANITA BAKER, MAVIS STAPLES, WANDA JACKSON AND LEDISI AS PERFORMERS AND DOLLY PARTON, QUEEN LATIFAH, TERRENCE HOWARD, NAS, COMMON AND LA LA ANTHONY AS PRESENTERS

Red Carpet to be Livestreamed on VH1.com on Sunday, December 18

“VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul” Pays Tribute to the Great Cities of Soul Music Including Chicago, Detroit, London, Memphis and Philadelphia

Special will air Monday, December 19 at 9 PM/8c on VH1

To Tweet This Release: http://on.vh1.com/divaspr3

NEW YORK – December 8, 2011 – VH1’s beloved, popular franchise, “VH1 Divas,” announced today additional performers to join this year’s tribute to soul music including: Anita Baker, Mavis Staples, Wanda Jackson and Ledisi. In addition, Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Terrence Howard, Nas, Common and La La Anthony will participate as presenters in paying homage to these cities and soul music’s timeless classics at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom. “VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul” premieres Monday, December 19 at 9 PM/8c on VH1.