September 26, 2001
VH1 puts instruments in the hands of students in Upper Sandusky
By Cathy Willoughby
Staff Writer
The cacophony of trumpets, clarinets and pounding drums could be sweet music to the ears of students and teachers soon at two Upper Sandusky elementaries.
They were the recipients of $50,000 worth of beginners' band instruments thanks to the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.
Students from South and Marseilles elementaries and school officials gathered Tuesday afternoon at South for the presentation of a symbolic check from Video Hits 1 representative Cameron McGill and Time Warner Cable Western Ohio Division President Jerry DeGrazia.
The instruments themselves -- about 20 brass, wind and percussion pieces -- are to be delivered by Kincaid Music of Springfield on Monday.
Upper Sandusky was one in 43 school districts around the nation to receive funds for music education programs from the foundation this year.
South Elementary principal Laurie Vent said that she and previous band director Jim Fry wrote the grant for each building last autumn.
"We had to show that we had a need and that the interest was there, that we supported music education,'' Vent explained. "We have always had children interested in participating, yet they couldn't afford to rent or buy the instruments.''
Fourth and fifth graders in the buildings are to have the opportunity to receive beginning band instruction.
"The kids are real excited,'' Vent said. "Already they are asking if they can pick their instrument.''
Kathy Doherty, at VH1, said the foundation looks at the school in cooperation with the local cable operation, in this case Time Warner Cable. The cable company helps VH1 assess the school's need in the year-long application process. THe Save the Music Foundation has been conducting this program since 1997; since then, more than $17 million worth of musical instruments have been donated to 750 public schools in 70 cities, affecting more than 250,000 children.
"We just started the culminating events for the year,'' Doherty said. "A couple of different areas in Ohio are doing this. Each school has a choice between different instrumental programs -- guitar, keyboards, instrumental orchestra and beginning band.''
Often, when schools make budget cuts, music and other arts programs are often the first ones to go.
"There's such an important need for the music program,'' Doherty added. "We are trying to re-establish these programs back in the schools.''
Although Save The Music conducts the program, Time Warner Cable helps in two ways, said DeGrazia.
"We have actually provided funding to support the program,'' he said. Time Warner also presented a check for $5,000 to the foundation yesterday. "And we work with the personnel to evaluate the schools and provide assistance and support.''
Time Warner's western division also has chosen a focus on the education and development of children. Other programming includes Cable in the Classroom, with curriculum guides for teachers and high-speed data service.
"We are also working with a program called Choices and Consequences,'' DeGrazia said. "It helps students to understand the consequences of their actions, so they can be more informed and make better decisions in their lives.''
VH1 is a spinoff of Music Television. Cameron McGill, sales and service coordinator for MTV networks, affiliate sales and marketing, is based in Chicago and handles seven market areas. In each market are four to six schools that are awarded foundation funds every year. A total of $100,000 is going to Ohio schools, with Upper Sandusky receiving the largest individual school awards.
"VH1 Save The Music Foundation wants to raise the awareness of the importance of music education in or public schools,'' McGill told the children seated before him in the gym. "We hope by giving you these instruments, you can explore your talents.''
McGill added that research shows that children do better in math, reading and getting along with others through musical education.
"I wish I would have had this opportunity as a young kid,'' McGill added. "I hope you use this to explore the creativity you find in music.''