“The Grammy Music Education Coalition has launched a fund-raising initiative aimed at benefiting music programs in the school districts of Philadelphia, New York City, and Nashville,” writes Peter Dobrin in Wednesday’s (11/8) Philadelphia Inquirer. “The effort provides an assist to the School District of Philadelphia’s efforts to cover expense for items like musical instruments and recording equipment. GMEC hopes to raise $5 million over three years for Philadelphia … said GMEC executive director Lee Whitmore. Philadelphia’s wish list of items to enhance music programs could cost up to $60 million, said Frank Machos, executive director of the School District’s Office of the Arts and Academic Enrichment…. GMEC is developing music-lesson materials and commissioning an online professional development course for teachers to be made available free nationwide. The Grammy Music Education Coalition was founded in part by the Recording Academy—formerly known as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences—but is now its own separate nonprofit collective of more than 30 groups. Whitmore said the organization would focus on Title 1 school districts (those with large low-income student populations) and expects one next step to be an expansion beyond Philadelphia, New York City, and Nashville.”
Posted November 10, 2017
Photo of Philadelphia elementary school students by Jessica Griffin
