CMA charity donates $1M to school music program

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 – The CMA Foundation is donating $1.4 million to benefit music education programs for Nashville's 78,000 public school students from 2011 CMA Music Festival through the "Keep the Music Playing" campaign.

"Putting instruments in the hands of children is one of the most important initiatives undertaken by CMA on behalf of our artists," said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "Supporting music education is an investment in the future of our city and our industry. It is an honor to nurture these young performers and provide them with the resources and opportunities they need and deserve."

This announcement raises CMA's Keep the Music Playing support of music education in public schools from $4.7 million to more than $6.1 million. This money has been used to build music labs and purchase more than 4,000 instruments and supplies for 80 Metro Nashville Public Schools through a partnership with the Nashville Public Education Foundation.

The $1.4 million donation includes $200,000 for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's "Words & Music" program, which assists language arts and music teachers with classroom instruction in the basics of songwriting. CMA established a $1 million endowment gift for the program in 2007 with a $200,000 annual gift.

In 2006, the CMA Artist Relations Committee established the Keep the Music Playing program to give back to the community on behalf of the hundreds of country artists who perform and make appearances at CMA Music Festival for free.

The announcement of the 2011 CMA Music Festival donation was made at a reception prior to the Third CMA Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center Tuesday night.

Chris Young, who hosted the concert, said, "Music has had such a profound influence in every aspect of my life. I cannot stress how important it is for young people to continue to have the ability to participate in music programs. I'm proud I've had the opportunity to take part in this Keep The Music Playing event."