Give A Note Foundation (GAN), a national nonprofit created to bring awareness to the importance of music and arts education, announces a $100,000 grant investment to launch two Music Tech Empowers classrooms in schools that committed to hiring new music educators to teach to this fast-growing segment of music education curriculum. In a new initiative, GAN will host live events at both schools, spanning opposite ends of the country from the Pacific Northwest to the Southeast, with artists, industry professionals, school and district leaders at each school primed to celebrate with the students and community. The announcement is being made by Give A Note CEO Dendy Jarrett.
Atlanta (Smyrna), Georgia: Give A Note’s Music Tech Empowers program invests $50,000 in a brand-new Music Tech classroom at Campbell High School in Smyrna, Georgia. This grant, made possible by a generous donation and partnership with local Huber Engineered Materials, seeks to engage more student participation in music education through the growing music technology segment with a multi-year commitment to build a state-of-the-art music production department in this Cobb County School. There will be a check presentation ceremony plus performances and appearances by TikTok sensations The Boykinz, and Music Producer, Craig King of RapPlugLive.
Portland (Woodburn), Oregon: On the same day, across the continent in the Pacific Northwest, Give A Note will be bringing the same multi-year commitment to Woodburn High School. There will be a schoolwide-attended check presentation ceremony with special appearances by The Dumes lead singer and music educator Elodie Hatfield, along with GRAMMY® -nominated reggae musician and entrepreneur Aaron Nigel Smith.
Sharon Noble, VP of Global HR for Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), says, “In alignment with J.M. Huber Corporation’s overall approach to community engagement, known as Huber Helps, our organization is very pleased to partner with Give A Note to support the needs of HEM’s local communities and make music education more accessible in the Atlanta metro area. We’re excited about the new music tech program being implemented at Campbell High School near our global headquarters. All children should have the opportunity to receive a musical education, and we are proud that HEM can play a small part in supporting this cause.”
“We offer a world-class education and, through partnerships with the very best in the music business, Campbell students now have access to a world-class fine arts experience,” said Chris Ragsdale, Superintendent of Cobb County Public Schools.
Music Tech Educator Jason Rodgers says, “I am deeply grateful to the Give A Note Foundation for this generous grant, which has fast-tracked the development of our Digital Audio Production CTE program at Woodburn High School. Without this support, it would have taken years to build the infrastructure needed for our students to thrive. Now, they have the opportunity to work with high-quality, industry-standard technology while exploring careers in music and podcast production.”
Musician Aaron Nigel Smith says, “When we provide access to high-quality arts programs and supporting technology to young students, we are changing lives. I am thrilled to celebrate Give A Note’s generous contribution to Woodburn High School, and I anticipate it will have a lasting positive impact on thousands of students over the years.”
Give A Note CEO Dendy Jarrett says, “Access to music technology and production curriculum encourages student participation in school and provides a safe, inclusive environment for them to learn music, music production, songwriting, audio engineering, and other important life skills to advance their future potential.” Jarrett further states, “We are so grateful for our partners on this endeavor: Huber Engineered Materials, Sweetwater Music, Audix Microphones, Focusrite Novation, Ludwig Drums, Free Guitars For Kids, Gibson Gives and Yamaha. These fantastic partners help us on our quest to create better humans through music!”
For more information, please visit Give A Note Foundation. If music or arts education or a music or arts educator impacted your life, please consider supporting Give A Note.
