Danbury schools to receive $105,000 for music learning

VH1 ‘Save the Music’ grant to fund musical instruction, instruments                 

Three Danbury elementary schools will receive $105,000 this school year to fund music programs – part of which will be presented on Oct. 23 at a presentation at Park Avenue School.

More than 30 students from Park Avenue, Morris Street and South Street schools will perform with their instruments as VH1 Save the Music, partnered with SpreadMusicNow – a nonprofit organization headquartered in Redding – presents a check to fund the programs at the three kindergarten through fifth-grade schools.

“The Danbury Board of Education is exceptionally fortunate to be able to partner with VH1 Save the Music,” said Deputy Superintendent Dr. Bill Glass. “The 2017-18 school year will see many of our students having a unique opportunity to have access to musical instruments that would otherwise be unavailable to them. The majority of our students come from families that live below the federal poverty level and so our partnership with VH1 is truly a blessing for so many underprivileged children. Without this partnership the idea of playing a musical instrument would be an unattainable dream but now it is a reality. Words do not suffice to express how grateful we are to VH1 Save the Music. Your efforts are truly enriching the lives of a great many students by providing them with the lifelong gift of music.”

SpreadMusicNow funds music instruction provided through school systems and has already provided 35 instruments from trombones to flutes to students at each of these schools.

“Danbury Public Schools is excited to partner with VH1 Save the Music beginning in the 2017-18 School Year,” said Superintendent Dr. Sal Pascarella. “Together, we will work to ensure that all students K-8 have an equitable and accessible a quality musical experience. Thank you for this opportunity for our students so we can continue to fully support Music Education in our Schools.”

There are 115 students who will directly benefit from the program, said Jill Russell-Benner, Danbury Public Schools K-5 music program facilitator, grant writer and implementation coordinator, but the program will have a positive impact on the entire district.

“Through this partnership, we can continue to empower our students through music education by placing an importance on the arts in our schools,” said Russell-Benner.