THE VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES ITS 2009-2010 AMBASSADOR CLASS AND CELEBRATES THE 2008-2009 “ALUMNI” AMBASSADORS

Nick Lachey, Kelly Clarkson, OneRepublic, Fall Out Boy, Mandy Moore, Chrisette Michele, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat Will Serve As The Foundations 2009-2010 Ambassadors
 

NEW YORK, October 20, 2009 – The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is proud to announce its plans for a new class of Ambassadors dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in our nation’s public schools. The new Ambassador class includes superstars Nick Lachey, Kelly Clarkson, OneRepublic, Fall Out Boy, Mandy Moore, Chrisette Michele, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. The new campaign will kick-off on November 5th at Esquire Magazines seventh annual signature space, branded Esquire House Soho Mews, with a performance by OneRepublic.
 

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation inaugurated its Ambassadors program last year around the theme , First Make Music, Then Make History. The campaign spearheaded by a group of Ambassadors, comprised of prominent musicians, athletes and stars of the film world who committed to being the Foundation’s most powerful advocates and fundraisers, lending their unique celebrity status to deliver key messages through a national press campaign about the importance of music to a child’s complete education. The First Make Music, Then Make History campaign’s goal was to remind the public that many of our greatest leaders and visionaries – Eleanor Roosevelt, Bill Gates and Bill Clinton all share a common trait. Before they made history, they studied music. At the core of the movement, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation aims to remind the public that Music Education equals Brainpower and they too can affect great change by taking action.
In light of the economic crisis and its aftermath, VH1 Save The Music is determined to provide people with the tools necessary to Be Proactive (Not Reactive) to ensure all children have access to a complete education, which includes music. Throughout the next year, the new class of Ambassadors will help The Foundation deliver this message to the public and raise awareness for The Foundation by performing at select national events, partnering with fundraising initiatives and visiting with public school students to share their experiences about of how music has impacted their lives and careers.

The 2009-2010 Ambassadors class follow in the footsteps of the inaugural class of 2008-2009, and now esteemed Alumni, including Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, Chris Webber, Gavin DeGraw, NE-YO, John Rzeznik, Natasha Bedingfield, The Fray, 3 Doors Down and Venus Williams. With the help of this remarkable group, The Foundation raised nearly $500,000 as the Ambassadors reached millions of people on-air, online, via text and on the ground to get involved, take action and support the VH1 Save The Music Foundation’s work to jumpstart instrumental music education programs in America’s public schools.
“For more than a decade, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has been a leader in restoring instrumental music education programs in our nation’s public schools and broadening the public understanding of the importance of music as a part of every child’s complete education,” says Paul Cothran, Executive Director, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “The Ambassadors will help spread this important message and inspire a new generation to Be Proactive (Not Reactive) and make music an integral part of their lives. Their participation will help us continue our efforts to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to reap the benefits that music has to offer.”
 

To read more about the Ambassador’s individual contributions and the overall campaign, visit www.vh1savethemusic.com and www.vh1savethemusic.com/ambassadors.
 

About The VH1 Save the Music Foundation:
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit 501c3 organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America’s public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education. Since 1997, the VH1 Save the Music Foundation has successfully restored and sustained instrumental music programs in 1,700 public schools in more than 100 cities across the country, including Memphis, Houston, Chicago, New York, Denver, Baltimore and Milwaukee. The 2009 – 2010 Ambassador class includes Nick Lachey, Kelly Clarkson, OneRepublic, Fall Out Boy, Mandy Moore, Chrisette Michele, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat each raising funds and delivering key messages on behalf of The Foundation. To date, VH1 Save The Music has provided more than $45 million in new musical instruments, affecting the lives of more than 1.4 million children. It is The Foundation’s renewed commitment to donate one hundred million dollars worth of new musical instruments to ensure that even a greater number of students receive a comprehensive music education in the coming decade. Take action for music education by visiting www.vh1savethemusic.com.