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Friday, April 26th, 2024 — Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock), the largest non-profit music education program for schools in the United States, celebrated its transformative mission with a star-studded, 16th annual benefit last night at The Novo in Los Angeles This year’s event honored Josh Groban - the Tony®, EMMY®, and five-time GRAMMY Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist, along with the GRAMMY and Golden Globe Winner and Oscar-nominated singer, songwriter and actress Andra Day and GRAMMY and Pulitzer Prize-winning singer and instrumentalist, MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, and composer of opera, ballet, and film Rhiannon Giddens with music direction from Michael Bearden (Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston).
In addition to stellar performances from Josh Groban, Andra Day and Rhiannon Giddeons, the stage welcomed Taj Mahal, Yancyabril, and Music Will school program participants from Miramonte Elementary School, Verdugo Hills High School, and the Harman-sponsored alumni band, Los Riot---all overseen by musical director Michael Bearden (Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston).
The event’s awards acknowledged each honoree’s cultural achievements and highlights included:
- The Tony®, EMMY®, and five-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Josh Groban received the Impact Award, for his dedication to the arts through his Find Your Light Foundation. His work has made a profound impact, empowering countless children to discover their passion for music. He has championed the cause of accessible arts education, ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to thrive creatively. Throughout his career, Groban has dedicated his career to creating music that inspires and moves people. Lois Hunter presented the award to Groban.
- The GRAMMY and Golden Globe Winner and Oscar-nominated singer, songwriter and actress Andra Day received the Spirit Award for remarkable talent and the spirit she brings to everything she does. From her chart-topping hits to her transformative role in the film, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Andra's artistry knows no bounds. She has captured the hearts of millions and inspired positive change around the world. Last night she also performed her new single “Chasing” for the first time. Andra’s father, Joe Batie presented the award to Day who will later this year be working with Music WIll to expand their programming to 20 schools in San Diego and Detroit.
- GRAMMY and Pulitzer Prize-winning singer and instrumentalist, MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, and composer of opera, ballet, and film Rhiannon Giddens was given the Ambassador Award to recognize her as a global ambassador for music, promoting cultural understanding, unity, and collaboration through her work. It commemorates her mission of lifting up people whose contributions to American musical history have previously been overlooked or erased. This award reflects her role as an ambassador for music and cultural heritage, and celebrates her advocacy for a more accurate understanding of the country's musical origins through her art. Taj Mahal presented the award to Giddens.
Presented by the Hot Topic Foundation, the event also featured special guest performances from the legendary Taj Mahal and student alumna and singer-songwriter Yancyabril, along with a silent online auction and remarks from key artistic and business supporters. The benefit will provide essential funding for Music Will’s ongoing mission to provide teacher training, a diverse curriculum, and free musical instruments to students---connecting them with the music that ignites their interest. Over one million young people across the U.S. have been impacted by the organization’s programs to date.
The event is produced by MBM Entertainment and tickets are available at www.musicwill.org/benefit and bids for the benefit’s silent auction items---including one-of-a-kind donations from music icons---can be submitted on the Music Will website.
Music Will CEO Mike Wasserman said, “Last night was a beautiful celebration of music. To see some of the incredible students and alums of Music Will classrooms performing alongside Josh Groban, Andra Day, Rhiannon Giddens, and others was a gift. I know that all of us feel grateful to be a part of a community that provides a platform for millions of students and teachers to bring more music into the world. And from events like last night's Benefit, we will have the resources to impact tens of thousands of classrooms and millions of students in the coming years. We hope those in the audience last night and those who hope to join us in the future will be a part of the movement required to make that possible.”
Music Will’s annual benefit events have continually attracted an exciting range of top artists. Past honorees have included Babyface, Tom Morello, Idina Menzel, Bonnie Raitt, Smokey Robinson, Elvis Costello, Warren Haynes, Usher, Steven Van Zandt, Mavis Staples, Joan Jett, Trombone Shorty, Wiz Khalifa, and Clarence Clemmons, among others. Renowned performers and presenters have included Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Alice Cooper, Darlene Love, Carlos Santana, Yo-Yo Ma, Brian Wilson, Jack Black, Graham Nash, Steve Miller, Todd Rundgren, Alice Merton, Darryl McDaniels (Run-D.M.C.), Harry Connick, Jr., and more. Special guest appearances have featured comedians David Letterman and Tracy Morgan.
Recently, Babyface appeared on the Kelly Clarkson show with Music Will Founder Dave Wish to share the power of music education. Kelly Clarkson surprised Babyface and Music Will by donating $10,000 to the non-profit, which resulted in Babyface and Music Will founder Dave Wish contributing as well, bringing the total to $30,000 towards the non-profit. Watch the segment on The Kelly Clarkson Show here. Of their past galas, Rolling Stone has described Music Will benefits as “raucous and celebratory,” and Billboard noted past speakers are “intent on asserting the value of music not only as art but as a key to communication, a crucial part of human nature, a cornerstone of democracy.”
Since Music Will was founded in 2002, its mission has remained steadfast while the population it serves has grown exponentially. It is now the largest non-profit music program in U.S. public schools. With a vision that music education should be as diverse as the people it serves, the organization rebranded in 2022 with its new name, reflecting service to kids of all ages, across all genres of music.
About Music Will
Music Will runs the largest nonprofit music program in the U.S. public school system. Its teachers currently serve over 600,000 students in more than 600 cities and towns across the country. They believe that music education is a right, not a privilege, and it should reflect the cultures of the students it serves. That’s why, for two decades now, their programs have taught students such popular American genres as rock, pop, R&B, Latin, rap and country—alongside styles already taught in schools, such as classical and jazz. Today, a national network of K-12 districts has adopted the Music Will program as their own. Additionally, more than 70 colleges and universities now use their approach to music education majors. Several state departments of education have partnered with Music Will to grow music education in the schools they serve. Its mission of transforming lives by transforming music education has grown into a movement.
Music Will began as an informal effort by former Palo Alto school teacher, Dave Wish, who was frustrated by the lack of music programming in his school. Borrowing from friends and scouring area flea markets for instruments, he began offering free guitar classes after school using the popular music the students wanted to play. Many school teachers in Dave’s area were inspired by his program’s incredible impact, so he began offering training to help them start their own music classes. He is the progenitor of the organization’s unique pedagogy, "Music as a Second Language.” He also coined the term “modern band” as a descriptor for school music programs that offer popular music instruction, later publishing Modern Band Method textbooks with Hal Leonard. Dave left the classroom in 2002 to found “Little Kids Rock,” the nonprofit that was rebranded as Music Will in 2022. In 2023, Dave took on the new role of Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, focusing on strategy and organizational evangelism.
https://musicwill.org/
For more information please contact musicwillpr@shorefire.com
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