The Music Academy and Rock Academy of Asheville, have served many children that could not pay for music lessons, group classes or performance classes by accepting them without payment and even providing instruments for those in need. When the school became unable to take on any additional children, at no cost, due to their own financial commitments, it started our wheels turning.
We began hosting bake sales, concerts, yard sales, raffles and whatever else it took to raise funds to have these children continue their music education. Finally, we put pen to paper and became an official charity. We were approved in 30 days!
As we all know, music has a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the “learning field” across socio-economic boundaries, adding to overall academic achievement and success in school.
Music teaches our children to solve problems and make decisions; building self-confidence and self-discipline; developing the ability to imagine what might be; and accepting responsibility to complete tasks from start to finish. It nurtures the value of team-building skills; respecting alternative viewpoints; and appreciating and being aware of different cultures and traditions.
.Since our March 2011 inception we have been able to fund over 250 students for private lessons, performance classes and summer camps. We’ve also gifted over 100 instruments. Some of these instruments were donations and some were purchased. They went to less advantaged children attending Music Academy, Rock Academy, local high schools and other nonprofit organizations.
One of our many goals at Give to the Music is to teach ALL our students to go out into the neighborhoods sharing their talents to help make an effective change in our community. As a result, we are very proud to have collaborated with Red Cross Hurricane Sandy Relief, helping to raise funds, accepting donations; Performing for Vance Elementary School Parent Team, which helps teachers buy their classroom needs; Big Brothers Big Sisters, by providing entertainment for several of their events; The Hendersonville County Education Foundation, again an event that helps teachers purchase their classroom needs; Rock to the Rescue, an organization founded by Styx; Toys-for-Tots collections; Make-a-Wish Foundation, by performing at their annual Christmas Jam every year; Christmas is for Kids, a huge local Christmas party hosted by WOXL radio for disadvantaged children; Youth at Jazz, supporting underserved kids by assisting with organizing their fundraiser and performing at it; Jones Elementary School raising money for their trip to Washington DC; and Arts for Life which supports children facing serious illnesses and disabilities, and more to come.
As Give to the Music grows, we hope to reach out into the community even more by helping the band directors, chorus directors, and music programs in our local schools. Whether it is a concert to help raise funds, an acoustic set to help raise spirits or volunteer work keeping music alive and well, Give to the Music will be there to help.