Redding-based SpreadMusicNow presents $40K check to Danbury school

Tuesday morning at Ellsworth Avenue School was a time for celebration – not just for the holiday season, but for the gift of music.

Following the performances of elementary band students, directed by Brian Ho, and the second-grade chorus, directed by Skip Jennings, at a school assembly, Redding-based SpreadMusicNow presented a check for $40,000 to VH1 Save The Music Foundation to support the group’s donation of musical instruments to the Danbury schools. This fall, VH1Save the Music donated $120,000 worth of musical instruments and supplies to support the elementary band programs at Ellsworth, Hayestown Avenue and Stadley Rough elementary schools. The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) donated $20,000 to the foundation, as well.

“With six Core Band Grants in place to date, we are well on our way to ensuring all Danbury students have access to a high quality musical instrument in school and can reach their full potential,” said Jaclyn Rudderow, VH1 Save The Music Foundation program director.

On Tuesday, many of the students at Ellsworth Avenue School were dressed up – some in colorful dresses, others in holiday-costumes or with reindeer headbands and other festive pieces.  

“Our musical benefactors – Save The Music, SpreadMusicNow and NAMM – have made such a difference in the lives of our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Sal Pascarella. “As we face budget restrictions that limit our ability to provide enrichment through the arts to every student, it is nothing short of a miracle that these nonprofit groups step in and work very hard to make sure that children are offered musical education that can be the start of a lifelong passion. As we could tell by the music the students made today, they are grateful too.”

Ellsworth principal Marnie Durkin said that the number of instruments at the school has doubled with the donations this year.

“We are appreciative of everyone who has joined into make this happen at our school,” she said.

VH1 Save the Music Foundation partners with school districts and raises funds to restore music programs in public schools across the country. Since its founding in 1997, it has donated more than $56 million in new musical instruments to more than 2,100 schools in 261 districts. Jill Russell-Benner, the DPS K-8 music department head, is the liaison between the schools and nonprofit organizations.